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AI generated image of diverse immune cells interacting in a complex network

Cluster of Excellence ImmunoSensation³

We Explore Immune Diversity

The immune system is dynamic and diverse, across scales. Its structures, functions and dynamics depend on genetic and environmental influences, lifestyle, gender, previous illnesses and age. These influences are reflected at the molecular, the cellular and the systemic level of our body. The resulting constant change and natural diversity of the immune system is referred to as immune diversity. 

Immune diversity forms the basis for the adaptive performance of our immune system and enables an individual immune response to pathogens or tissue damage, as occurs in connection with Alzheimer's, cancer, heart attacks or rheumatism. The aim of ImmunoSensation3 is to better understand the variability of the immune system in order to enable individualized and precise approaches for diagnostics, prevention and therapy.

ImmunoSensation3 is a Cluster of Excellence at the University of Bonn, funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG). 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, the University Hospital Bonn (UKB) and the German Centre for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) of the Helmholtz Association.

Founded in 2012, ImmunoSensation is currently in its fifteenth 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.

Members & Publications


Members

Members database


Publications

Publications database

News

Smartphone-based retinal imaging in clinical practice in India: - The image was taken during a collaborative project between University Hospital Bonn (UKB) and Sankara Eye Foundation India on smartphone-based telemedical screening for diabetic retinopathy.

Publication

Smartphones as Retinal Cameras: New Opportunities for Global Eye Care

—Smartphones could play an important role in the early detection of eye diseases, including in settings where specialized ophthalmic infrastructure is limited. An international team of experts led by the UKB and the University of Bonn has comprehensively reviewed the current global landscape of smartphone-based fundus imaging. The researchers highlight the technical and clinical possibilities that already exist today, identify the limitations of these methods, and outline the conditions that must be met so that smartphone-based retinal imaging can be more widely integrated into screening.
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Pseudocolored electron microscope image of a macrophage

Publication

Microplastics Cause Fatty Liver Disease in Mice

—Microplastics appear capable of significantly impairing the function of phagocytes in the liver, at least in mice. In turn, this disrupts the metabolism of this vital organ and increases the build-up of fat inside it. These are the key findings from a joint German-Austrian study led by the University of Bonn, details of which have now been published in the journal “Nature Metabolism.”
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With funding from the Corona Foundation, Dr Christina Mayer (right) is establishing her own junior research group and developing the field of neurovisual diagnostics at the Department of Neurology at UKB, headed by Prof Anne-Katrin Pröbstel (left).

Honors & Funding

The Retina as a Window into the Early Detection of Brain Diseases

—The retina is the only part of the central nervous system that can be examined non-invasively and at high resolution in living humans. Dr Christina Mayer and her team at Bonn University Hospital (UKB) and the University of Bonn aim to use this unique feature to detect inflammatory and vascular diseases of the brain earlier and more accurately, and to better understand how they develop. The Corona Foundation is providing €1 million to establish her junior research group. The programme gives outstanding early-career researchers the opportunity to qualify for a university professorship.
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News overview

Upcoming events

  • On-site

    StadtLandMitmachbus

     –

    Adenau / Königswinter-Oberpleis / Linz am Rhein / Aegidienberg / Bad Münstereifel

    The StadtLandMitmachbus will bring the medicine of the future to your doorstep. Interactive stations and direct dialogue with researchers invite to experience science live and up close. Learn about innovative topics in medicine, such as robotics, ethics and - of course - immunology.

  • Lecture On-site

    Lecture by Prof. Vasanthakumar

    Seminar room BMZ-II (B012.EG.405)

  • Lecture On-site

    Cluster Lecture Series - Mikołaj Słabicki, PhD

    BMZ II Seminar room (B012.EG.405)

    Cluster Lecture Series - Mikołaj Słabicki, PhD Title: Broadening the Scope of Targeted Protein Degradation

  • Lecture On-site

    Immuno Talk by Chenqi Xu

    Seminar room (B012.EG.405), BMZ-II (building B12)

Events overview

Insights

Immunosensation 360°

Follow us on a virtual tour into the institutes and laboratories of ImmunoSensation3!

The 360° experience allows you to embark on an exciting journey, exploring the diversity of immunological research performed at ImmunoSensation3. 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 ImmunoSensation3, highlighting their innovative research approaches as well as the excellent research environment at the University of Bonn.

 

The report introduces