Genome data to improve diagnosis and treatment of long Covid
—Despite the many advances, there are still major gaps in the care of patients with long-term and post-COVID. The Institute of Human Genetics at the UKB in Bonn now begins a genomLC study as part of a BMG funding priority. The researchers want to help speed up the diagnosis of long- and post-COVID and identify possible biomarkers that could possibly also differentiate between subgroups of the diseases. To this end, the genomic data of those affected is being analyzed as part of a study using blood samples. The project is funded by the Federal Ministry of Health (BMG) with 1.34 million euros.
“Transparent by nature” network meeting a complete success
—In order to communicate the importance of animal research transparently and promote an open exchange, Bonn research institutions joined forces to facilitate the exchange of all those who work with laboratory animals. The University of Bonn, together with other research institutions in Bonn, invited everyone who works with laboratory animals to the first network meeting “Naturally transparent” in the Poppelsdorf Auditorium Center. The aim of the event was to create a forum that strengthens the exchange of information on transparency in animal research and networking.
—The "Girls Day" is an annual event, aiming to motivate girls and women to persue a career in the fields of crafts, technology and research. We welcomed students from local schools to the ImmunoSensation labs and introduced them to the world of immunological research. While showcasing the fascinating side of biomedical research, the emphasis was also on possibilities and career perspectives as a woman in science.
Starting points for the control of protein synthesis
—The research field of "cellular IRESes" lay dormant for decades, as there was no uniform standard of reliable methods for the clear characterization of these starting points for the ribosome-mediated control of gene expression. Researchers at the University Hospital Bonn (UKB) and the University of Bonn, in collaboration with Stanford University in California (USA), have now developed a toolbox as a new gold standard for this field. The results of their work have been published in The EMBO Journal.
Genetic mutation affects survival after viral infection
—Scientists discovered that haploinsufficiency in the Pax5 gene affects antiviral responses. The study was led by Prof. Dr. Aleksandra Pandyra from the Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology at the University Hospital Bonn in collaboration with Prof. Dr. Arndt Borkhardt, Clinic Director at the Pediatric Oncology at the University Hospital Düsseldorf. The findings were published in the latest edition of EMBO Molecular Medicine.
—Bonn researchers aim to improve colon cancer treatment using 3D organoids and digital twins. Funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), a collaborative project involving the University of Bonn, the company ESQlabs and the University Hospital Bonn is seeking to refine the therapy recommendations given to colon cancer patients. To this end, “ISPOT-K” is merging organoids taken from patients with the power of digital twin technology.
—Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system caused by the immune system. B cells, which are a type of white blood cell, play a role in the development of MS and are thus a target for therapies. Researchers at the University Hospital Bonn (UKB), the University of Bonn and the FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg identified the membrane protein MLC1 as a potential target antigen in MS. The results of the work have now been published in the renowned journal “Neurology Neuroimmunology & Neuroinflammation”.
Valentin Schäfer appointed to Specialized Ethics Committee
—Prof. Valentin S. Schäfer, Head of the Section of Rheumatology at the University Hospital Bonn (UKB) and researcher at the University of Bonn, has been appointed to the newly created Specialized Ethics Committee for Special Procedures by State Secretary Dr. Thomas Steffen at the Federal Ministry of Health. The committee, which is based at the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM), will begin its work on July 1, 2025 and is responsible for the ethical evaluation of complex clinical trials.
—The Faculty of Medicine at the University of Bonn has conferred an honorary doctorate on the illustrious researcher Professor Sharon Lewin. The Director of the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity and the Cumming Global Centre for Pandemic Therapeutics, Professor Lewin is also a Laureate Professor of Medicine at the University of Melbourne in Australia and collaborates with the University Hospital Bonn. She is being recognized for her exceptional research on the international stage and her groundbreaking work in the field of HIV research in particular.
