Role of Phagocyte Types in Kidney Inflammation revisited
—Mononuclear phagocytes (MNP) defend the kidney against infections, but may also promote the progression of sterile inflammation. Contrary to the previous concepts, these immune cells are not only recruited to the site of inflammation, but also expand from kidney-resident MNP. This could now be shown by ImmunoSensation2 member Prof. Christian Kurts and his team at the Institute of Molecular Medicine and Experimental Immunology at the University Hospital Bonn. The findings have recently been published in the journal Kidney International.
—Insertion of RNA into the genome occurs manifold during each cell division. Ribonucleotide excision repair (RER) by RNaseH2 has been found crucial to prevent severe DNA damage. If this fails, the cGAS/Sting system detects DNA debris inside cells and alerts the immune system. Prof. Rayk Behrendt, together with colleagues from the Technical University Dresden and the Univerisy Hospital Heidelberg, now show that RNaseH2 acts as tumor suppressor in the hematopoietic system. The scientists also provide evidence, that the cGAS/STING system has no role in blood cell development or Leukemia.
—In June, we welcomed over 30 selected doctoral students from China at ImmunoSensation². The junior scientists visited Germany as part of the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG). Part of their visit was an introduction to the most outstanding research locations in germany. We offered insights into several core facilities at the cluster of excellence and brought the aspiring joung researchers into contect with ImmunoSensation² researchers on site.
New research group at the Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology
—Nicola Diny is interested in the influence of the tissue environment on immune cell function. Recently recruited from the Francis Crick Institute (London / UK), Diny is now heading a junior research group at the Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology (ICCCP) at the University Hospital Bonn. Together with her team, she is focusing on eosinophil tissue adaptation in the context of health and disease.
—Ana Ivonne Vazquez-Armendariz is setting out to develop “mini-organs” in order to study metabolic and disease mechanisms. She hopes that they can give her a better understanding of lung disease. As Argelander Professor in the Life and Health Transdisciplinary Research Area (TRA) at the University of Bonn, Vazquez-Armendariz is working at the interface between various disciplines, bridging the gap between chemistry, biology and medicine in the process.
T helper cells determine the course of disease in viral infections such as COVID-19
—People around the world have been infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus for more than three years. It quickly became apparent that killer T cells play a crucial role in fighting the virus in the body by killing off infected cells. However, it was not entirely clear how the immune system manages to activate the defenses in a targeted manner and then calm them down again once the job is done. An international team, including ImmunoSensation² scientists, has now come a decisive step closer to understanding this phenomenon.
Expanding the partnership with Japan in science and research
—The Rector of the University of Bonn and ImmunoSensation² member, Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Michael Hoch, is currently traveling around Japan with a high-ranking delegation led by Hendrik Wüst, State Premier of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW). One of the main purposes of the trip is to consolidate partnerships in science and research. The Rector is expected back in Bonn at the weekend with some signed cooperation agreements in his suitcase.
Two junior researchers invited to Lindauer Nobel Laureate Meetings 2023
—The two junior ImmunoSensation scientists Dr. Maike Effern and Dr. Susanna Ng from the Institute of Experimental Oncology at the University Hospital Bonn were invited to participate in this years Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings. The annual conference in Lindau will take place from June 25th to 30th. The renowned conference is held for the 72nd time. The participants had to go through a lengthy application process in order to participate in the conference.
—Prof. Bernardo Franklin from the Institute of Innate Immunity at the University Hospital Bonn has been awarded a Proof of Concept Grant by the European Research Council (ERC) as part of a program designed to help researchers translate their ideas from previous ERC projects into commercial applications. The project entiteled “Nanobodies to prevent hematopoietic stem cell bias and hyper-inflammation” (UNBIAS), aims to “wipe” the immune system’s harmful memories of inflammation. The project is awarded with a funding of €150,000, provided over a period of around one year.
