The German Research Foundation (DFG) is setting up a new research group at the University of Bonn. ‘MagNet: Macrophage Niche Network Dynamics’ is dedicated to the systematic study of macrophages, specialised immune cells that play a central role in tissue development and function. The spokesperson of the research group is ImmunoSensation member Prof Dr Elvira Mass from the University of Bonn, supported by co-spokesperson Prof Dr Falk Nimmerjahn from Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU).
Macrophages, are immune cells that can be found in every organ of the body. While research has so far focused on their role in connection with immune defence and inflammation, the new ‘MagNet’ research group is now looking at how macrophages act as ‘choreographers’ to control tissue development and function. This is because macrophages also significantly influence the development, regeneration and repair of tissues. However, systematic research into these fundamental functions has not yet been carried out. Using state-of-the-art methods such as single-cell analyses, imaging and computer-aided modelling, the team led by Prof. Elvira Mass from the LIMES Institute at the University of Bonn is investigating how macrophages interact with cells in their immediate environment - their so-called ‘niche network’ - and thereby ensure the functionality of organs. The scientists want to decipher both general and tissue-specific communication processes.
‘Detailed knowledge of how macrophages communicate with other cells and thereby ensure the functionality of organs could contribute in the long term to the development of new therapies for diseases in which tissue damage or dysfunction occurs,’ explains Prof Dr Elvira Mass, who is also spokesperson for the transdisciplinary research area “Life and Health”. These include chronic inflammation, autoimmune diseases and degenerative diseases.
Researchers from the fields of cell biology, developmental immunology and systems biology at ImmunoSensation2 at the University of Bonn, FAU, the University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf and the University of Freiburg are involved in the MagNet research group.
Contact
LIMES Institute
University of Bonn
mail: elvira.mass@uni-bonn.de
