Millions in funding for development of influenza drugs
—How can the propagation of influenza viruses be stopped? For a new approach in the therapy of influenza infections, Prof. Hiroki Kato from the Institute of Cardiovascular Immunology at the University Hospital Bonn (UKB) and the Cluster of Excellence ImmunoSensation² of the University of Bonn receives an Open Philanthropy grant of 2.2 million US dollars. Together with his team, he found a compound that inhibits the body's own methyltransferase MTr1 and thus prevents the replication of influenza viruses.
—Every year some 75,000 people die from bacterial blood poisoning, or sepsis, in Germany alone. Survivors of sepsis often struggle with secondary and concomitant conditions due to the resulting impairment of the immune system, the so called “Immunesuppression”. The International Center for Clinical Research (ICRC) at St. Anne's University Hospital (FNUSA) Brno (Czech Republic) has founded the research consortium “BEATSep”. HORIZON EUROPA is funding it with around 6,9 million euros over the next five years.
Unraveling the role of NLRC5 in melanoma progression
—Immunotherapies offer new perspectives in the treatment of cancer. Unfortunately, tumor immune-escape mechanisms limit their effectiveness on a long turn. The intracellular receptor NLRC5 impacts the regulation of tumor recognition by the immune system in melanoma and other entities and is hence at the core of a new research project by ImmunoSensation² member Dr. Nicole Glodde from the Institute of Experimental Oncology at the University Hospital Bonn. The project is funded by the German Hiege Foundation, providing 30.000 € over the period of one year.
Spatial Transcriptomics-correlated Electron Microscopy
—In response to injury, cells of the surrounding tissues alter their structures and their gene expression activities. Although tightly intertwined, these two parameters have only been observed separately, due to technical limitations. ImmunoSensation² member Prof. Dr. Özgün Gökce and colleagues now found a way to monitor transcriptional and ultrastructural responses to injury at once, using Spatial Transcriptomics-correlated Electron Microscopy. The results have recently been published in Nature Communications.
—Cooperation between the University of Bonn, the USA and the Netherlands cracks the mode of action of clovibactin. More and more bacterial pathogens are developing resistance. There is an increasing risk that common drugs will no longer be effective against infectious diseases. That is why scientists around the world are searching for new effective substances.
—Prof. Gabor Petzold, a neuroscientist at DZNE and University Hospital Bonn (UKB), is part of a new US and European network of excellence funded by the Leducq Foundation with a total of US$ 8 million. Of this, about US$ 400,000 go to Bonn. The consortium will investigate the role of so-called brain clearance in cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA). This condition is a major cause of hemorrhagic stroke, as well as an important factor in certain forms of dementia. As the population ages, CAA is on the rise.
—Neurobiologist and ImmunoSensation² member Frank Bradke, a senior researcher at the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) and a professor at the University of Bonn, will be awarded with the „Remedios Caro Almela Prize for Research in Developmental Neurobiology“, which is endowed with 25,000 Euros. He is being honored for his groundbreaking research on the growth and regeneration of neurons. The award ceremony will take place in Alicante, Spain in November.
—In July 2023 the University of Bonn's Science Festival took place for the first time. With the best weather and free admission, people interested in cience could get an overview of the current research topics of the University of Bonn. In addition to scientific topics, a varied stage program offered entertainment for the entire family. Several food-trucks rounded of a great day at Hofgarten Bonn.
Macrophages in the maintenance of the enteric nervous system
—Loss of nerve cells is a process that can take place not only in the brain, but also in the (less well-known) nervous system in the gut. A new study, lead by the KU Leuven under contribution of ImmunoSensation² member Prof. Andreas Schlitzer of the LIMES Institute at Bonn University, shows that specialised immune cells shape this nervous system, enabling the gut to make the transition to solid food early in life. At a later stage, these immune cells take on another role – they start protecting and maintaining the nerve cells. The findings have now been published in Nature.
