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Scientist at sterile bench

Cluster of Excellence ImmunoSensation²

Immunology as a key to better health

ImmunoSensation2 is a Cluster of Excellence at the University of Bonn funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG). We are dedicated to the study of innate immunity beyond the boundaries of classical immunology. 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, ImmunoSensation2 is currently in its fourteenth 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. The cluster will contiune as ImmunoSensation³ for a funding period of another 7 years, starting 2026, taking immune diversity into focus.

Members & Publications


Members

Members database


Publications

Publications database

News

participants at the NeuVa Art kick off event

Outreach

NeuVa Art Lab started

—On Sunday, September 14th 2025, the NeuVa Art Lab started its Mandala workshop series at Bonn University’s Impulse - House for Innovation and Creativity. The event brought together scientists, artists, and the public to explore the connections between brain research and artistic expression. Together, complex brain structures are resembled in form of mandala artworks, that will be presented in an exhibition by the end of the project. NeuVa Art is a joined project by Prof. Carmen Ruiz de Almodóvar of the University Hospital Bonn (UKB) and the University of Bonn and textile artist Paula Urrutia.
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Scientists of the Femmunity Study at the Femmunity Café

Outreach

Femmunity Café brings science to the city

—With the "Femmunity Café", a new Science Communication format opened its doors in Bonn on September 5th. The series offers a unique opportunity for the public to engage with scientists on the menstrual cycle, immunity, and women’s health. The event blends a relaxed café atmosphere with expert knowledge, creating a space where curiosity and conversation around topics mostly not publicly discussed are welcomed and current scientific insights are made excessible to everyone.
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Wachten lab

Publication

Fat cells under false command

—Too much fat can be unhealthy: how fat cells, so-called adipocytes, develop, is crucial for the function of the fat tissue. That is why a team led by researchers from the University Hospital Bonn (UKB) and the University of Bonn investigated the influence of primary cilia dysfunction on adipocyte precursor cells in a mouse model. They found that overactivation of the Hedgehog signaling pathway causes abnormal development into connective tissue-like cells instead of white fat cells. Their findings have now been published in The EMBO Journal.
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News overview

Upcoming events

Poster announcing the 2025 Cluster Science Days

Featured Conference Hybrid

Registration open: The Cluster Science Days '25

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registration deadlines
on-site participation: October 21st
online participation: November 11th

NeuVa Art Lab - Mandala Workshop Poster

Featured Workshop On-site

NeuVa Art Lab - Mandala Workshop

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Impulse - House for Innovation and Creativity at the University of Bonn
Adenauerallee 131
53113 Bonn

NeuVa Art Lab invites everyone interested to learn about the structure and functions of the neurovascular system in the brain by crafting mandalas using makramee.

  • On-site

    4th International School on Advanced Immunology

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    Maria Laach, Germany

    We are pleased to announce the 4th International School on Advanced Immunology, bringing together young immunologists from across the globe. The school is organized in collaboration between the Immunology Frontier Research Center (IFReC) at Osaka University and ImmunoSensation.

  • Workshop Online

    SciCom Basics

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    online (zoom)

    The "SciCom Workshop Series" equips PhD students and postdocs with practical tools to present their work clearly and confidently across formats: writing and media to stage and video.

Events overview

Insights

Immunosensation 360°

Follow us on a virtual tour into the institutes and laboratories of ImmunoSensation2!

The 360° experience allows you to embark on an exciting journey, exploring the diversity of immunological research performed at ImmunoSensation2. 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 ImmunoSensation2, highlighting their innovative research approaches as well as the excellent research environment at the University of Bonn.

 

The report introduces