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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 funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG). We are dedicated to the study of innate immunity beyond the boundaries of classical immunology. We adress 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 and the German Centre for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) of the Helmholtz Association.

Founded in 2012, ImmunoSensation2 is currently in its eleventh year of funding. We 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.

News

News_03_Nöthen

News categories: Publication

Beethoven’s genome offers clues to composer’s health and family history

Ludwig van Beethoven’s genome has been sequenced for the first time by an international team of scientists with the participation of ImmunoSensation² member Prof. Markus Nöthen at the University of Bonn, using five genetically matching locks of the well-known composer’s hair.
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News_Latz_03.2023

News categories: Publication

Loss of mitochondrial integrity induces inflammasome activation

The recognition of pathogens and sterile damage may result in pyroptotic cell death and inflammation. This is brought about by the formation of protein complexes called inflammasomes. ImmunoSensation² speaker Prof. Eicke Latz and his team at the University of Bonn, together with colleagues from the University of Singapore, now revealed a new function for the inflammasome component NLRP10. The sensor warns of damage to the mitochondria. If it does not function properly, chronic skin diseases can result. The results have now been published in the journal Nature Immunology.
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News_Schlee_03.2023

Hyper-Susceptibility to viral infections in patients with inactive TBK1

The enzyme TBK1 is an important component of the innate immune system that plays an critical role in the defense against viruses. Upon mutation-induced loss of TBK1 function, patients show an increased susceptibility to viral infections. Strikingly, if TBK1 is not expressed at all, this clinical effect is not seen. The mechanism behind this supposed discrepancy has now been elucidated by researchers led by ImmunoSensation² member Prof. Martin Schlee of the University Hospital Bonn. The corresponding study was published in the journal Frontiers in Immunology.
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