Bonn scientists predict the connection between biomarker expression and long-term survival in patients with urothelial cancer
—PD Dr. Niklas Klümper and Prof. Michael Hölzel discovered that NECTIN4 amplifications are genomic predictors of long-term survival in patients suffering from metastatic urothelial cancer (mUC). Their findings were published in the latest edition of the “Journal of Clinical Oncology”.
—Dendritic cells play an important role in setting the course of our immune system. However, what determines their heterogeneity and functional specialization is still not sufficiently understood. An international collaboration consisting of researchers from the University Hospital Bonn (UKB), the University of Bonn and the Technical University of Denmark, among others, has investigated the role of the transcription factor Bcl6 in dendritic cells in a mouse model and discovered that a subgroup is highly dependent on this protein.
—Researchers from the University of Southern Denmark, the Novo Nordisk Center for Adipocyte Signaling (SDU), the University of Bonn and the University Hospital Bonn (UKB) have found a protein that is responsible for turning off brown fat activity. This new discovery could lead to a promising strategy for safely activating brown fat and tackling obesity and related health problems. The results of the study have now been published in the journal „Nature Metabolism“.
How the Immune System Learns from Harmless Particles
—Our lungs are bombarded by all manner of different particles every single day. Whilst some are perfectly safe for us, others—known as pathogens—have the potential to make us ill. The immune system trains its response whenever it encounters such a pathogen. Yet researchers at the University of Bonn have now shown that even harmless particles help to improve the immune response and have published their results in the journal “Nature Immunology.”
—Chemokines are signalling proteins that orchestrate the interaction of immune cells against pathogens and tumours. To understand this complex network, various techniques have been developed to identify chemokine-producing cells. However, it has not yet been possible to determine which cells react to these chemokines. Researchers at the University Hospital Bonn (UKB) and the University of Bonn have developed a new class of genetically modified mice that enables the simultaneous identification of chemokine producers and sensors.
—Many kidney diseases are manifested by protein in the urine. However, until now it was not possible to determine whether the protein excretion is caused by only a few, but severely damaged, or by many moderately damaged of the millions of small kidney filters, known as glomeruli. Researchers at the University Hospital Bonn, in cooperation with mathematicians from the University of Bonn, have developed a new computer method to clarify this question experimentally. The results of their work have now been published as an article in press in the kidney research journal "Kidney International".
—Prof. Takashi Fujita from the Institute of Virus Research at the university of Bonn, Prof. Mitsutoshi Yoneyama from the Research Institute of Disaster Medicine at the Chiba University and Prof. Hiroki Kato from the Institute of Cardiovascular Immunology at the University Hospital in Bonn published a collaborative review article in celebration of 20 years after the discovery of RIG-I. The article delves into the captivating realm of RIG-I research, exploring the advancements made over the past two decades.
—The heart is a vital organ that orchestrates blood circulation through the body to supply the organs with oxygen and nutrients. This regulation involves the continuous blood flow through the cardiac chambers and valves. One important tissue in this intricate network of chambers and valves is the aortic valve. The aortic valve is positioned between the left ventricle and the aorta, functioning as a gateway to the body thus preventing the retrograde flow of blood from the aorta back to the heart.
—We are delighted to welcome Dr. Tal Pecht as a new member of our Cluster of Excellence. The young scientist already made outstanding research contributions during her time as a postdoc within ImmunoSensation at the LIMES Institute of the University of Bonn. We are therefore even more pleased to welcome Tal Pecht as a full member, and her support her in establishing the FemmunityX research group.
