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Scientist at sterile bench

Cluster of Excellence ImmunoSensation²

Immunology as a key to better health

ImmunoSensation2 is a Cluster of Excellence at the University of Bonn funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG). We are dedicated to the study of innate immunity beyond the boundaries of classical immunology. We address the immune system as a sensory organ for health, which we term the immune sensory system. We are immunologists, neurobiologists, systems biologists, biochemists, biophysicists and mathematicians from the Faculty of Medicine and the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at the University of Bonn and the German Centre for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) of the Helmholtz Association.

Founded in 2012, ImmunoSensation2 is currently in its fourteenth year of funding. We will continue to pursue our mission of innovative science in immunology. Further, we link immunology to other systems, such as the metabolic system and the nervous system. Ultimately, we want to better understand the intimate connection between the immune sensory system and human health and disease. The cluster will contiune as ImmunoSensation³ for a funding period of another 7 years, starting 2026, taking immune diversity into focus.

Members & Publications


Members

Members database


Publications

Publications database

News

Wachten lab

Publication

Fat cells under false command

—Too much fat can be unhealthy: how fat cells, so-called adipocytes, develop, is crucial for the function of the fat tissue. That is why a team led by researchers from the University Hospital Bonn (UKB) and the University of Bonn investigated the influence of primary cilia dysfunction on adipocyte precursor cells in a mouse model. They found that overactivation of the Hedgehog signaling pathway causes abnormal development into connective tissue-like cells instead of white fat cells. Their findings have now been published in The EMBO Journal.
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Prof. Dr. Kaan Boztug

Honors & Funding

Kaan Boztug awarded Novartis Prize

—Prof. Dr. Kaan Boztug from the University Hospital Bonn (UKB) receives the Novartis Prize for Therapy-Relevant Immunological Research 2025. The expert in rare diseases of the immune system and blood formation conducted most of the research work that has now been honored in Vienna. His work was supported by an ERC Starting Grant (ImmunoCore, 2012-2018) and an ERC Consolidator Grant (iDysChart, 2019-2025), among others. The science prize, worth 10,000 € is divided into two parts this time and also goes to Prof. Dr. Evelyn Ullrich.
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Hartmann Wübben

Focus

An RNA key against viruses

—Activating the body's antiviral defense system: A novel RIG-I ligand developed at the Medical Faculty of the University of Bonn and the University Hospital Bonn (UKB) helps the body to recognize and fight off certain viruses at an early stage. This molecular structure has potential for the prevention and treatment of viral infections. Based on the research results, there are now plans to develop and market an antiviral nasal spray to protect against viral respiratory infections.
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News overview

Upcoming events

  • Lecture On-site

    What the Health

     –

    Museum Koenig Bonn

    Visit the exhibition and lectures and discover how your consumption can influence your health and the health of the planet.

  • Lecture On-site

    ImmunoTalk

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    BMZ I lecture Hall (B013.1UG.303)

    Professor Thomas Marichal from the GIGA Institute at ULiège in Belgium is giving a talk titled "Revisiting lung physiology through the lens of neutrophils".

  • Event On-site

    Femmunity Café - grand opening

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    P26
    (Poststraße 26, 53111 Bonn)

    At the Femmunity Café, we’ll explore how your immune system, metabolism, and gut health are all connected to hormonal changes throughout the cycle. Join us for an open, science-based conversation where you’ll gain fresh insights into your body and leave with practical knowledge for everyday life.

  • Event On-site

    Femmunity Café

     –

    P26
    (Poststraße 26, 53111 Bonn)

    At the Femmunity Café, we’ll explore how your immune system, metabolism, and gut health are all connected to hormonal changes throughout the cycle. Join us for an open, science-based conversation where you’ll gain fresh insights into your body and leave with practical knowledge for everyday life.

Events overview

Insights

Immunosensation 360°

Follow us on a virtual tour into the institutes and laboratories of ImmunoSensation2!

The 360° experience allows you to embark on an exciting journey, exploring the diversity of immunological research performed at ImmunoSensation2. Let our scientists guide you through the sites of scientific excellence and introduce you to the amazing world of the immune system.

Multimedia report "Beyond the Boundaries"

In our multimedia report "Beyond the boundaries" we introduce some of our outstanding group leaders. We take a closer look on their scientific work and their career paths within ImmunoSensation2, highlighting their innovative research approaches as well as the excellent research environment at the University of Bonn.

 

The report introduces