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Waseda University (Tokyo) day at the University of Bonn with a Symposium and a Workshop
On December 5 and 6, 2011 a German-Japanese Joint Symposium for Diamond Researchers on Sunstainability Life Science Innovation and Biomedical Research took place at the LIMES Center. 40 Japanese scientists from the Waseda University took part in this event presenting their work in talks and in a special poster session.
On December 7, the Waseda Day at the University of Bonn a Workshop Life Sciences Innovations & Biomedical Research was hold at the LIMES Institute. The President of the Waseda University, Prof. Kamata (see photo), gave a welcome address and congratulated the young researchers on their scientific results.
Matthias Zehner - winner of the BIOTECHNICA Studienpreis 2011
Die Preisträger des BIOTECHNICA Studienpreises 2011 (v. l. n. r.): Lena Veit (3. Preis), Matthias Zehner (1. Preis) und Sebastian Gruber (2. Preis)
Bildquelle: Informationsdienst Wissenschaft
Am 12. Oktober 2011 erhielt der Molekulare Biomedizinstudent Matthias Zehner aus dem LIMES-Institut der Universität Bonn den diesjährigen BIOTECHNICA Studienpreis. Dieser Preis wird jährlich vom Verband Biologie, Biowissenschaften und Biomedizin (VBIO) für die beste lebenswissenschaftliche Studienabschlussarbeit Deutschlands vergeben. Ziel des von der Firma Roche unterstützten Preises ist es, Nachwuchswissenschaftler in Bereich der Biowissenschaften frühzeitig zu fördern und ihre innovativen Potentiale hervorzuheben.
In seiner preisgekrönten Diplomarbeit untersuchte Matthias Zehner in der Arbeitsgruppe von Prof. Sven Burgdorf am LIMES-Institut die molekularen Mechanismen der Antigen Kreuzpräsentation und entwickelte dabei eine neue Technik zur Charakterisierung von Antigen-haltigen Endosomen mittels Durchflusszytometrie.
Paper in Nature Immunology identifies switch between effector and regulatory T cells
The DNA-binding factor SATB1 is known as a genome organizer that regulates chromatin structure and gene expression. Schultze and colleagues show that regulation of SATB1 expression by the transcription factor Foxp3 by direct binding and indirectly through histone modifications and miRNA activity is necessary to confer suppression of effector cell activity in regulatory T cells. Release of SATB1 from the control of Foxp3 in regulatora T cells caused loss of suppressive function, establishment of transcriptional effector T cell programs and induction of effector T cell cytokines. These data suggest that inhibition of SATB1-mediated modulation of global chromatin remodeling is pivotal for maintaining regulatory T cell functionality.
Repression of the genome organizer SATB1 in regulatory T cells is required for suppressive function and inhibition of effector differentiation.
Beyer M, Thabet Y, Müller RU, Sadlon T, Classen S, Lahl K, Basu S, Zhou X, Bailey-Bucktrout SL, Krebs W, Schönfeld EA, Böttcher J, Golovina T, Mayer CT, Hofmann A, Sommer D, Debey-Pascher S, Endl E, Limmer A, Hippen KL, Blazar BR, Balderas R, Quast T, Waha A, Mayer G, Famulok M, Knolle PA, Wickenhauser C, Kolanus W, Schermer B, Bluestone JA, Barry SC, Sparwasser T, Riley JL, Schultze JL.
Nat Immunol. 2011 Aug 14. doi: 10.1038/ni.2084.
For further information, contact:
Prof. Dr. Joachim L. Schultze
j.schultze@uni-bonn.de
Laboratory for Genomics and Immunoregulation
LIMES (Life and Medical Sciences), University of Bonn
Press release Uni Bonn: "Zentraler Schalter für das Immunsystem - Forscher der Universität Bonn entdecken, wie Abwehrzellen durch ein einziges Gen „scharf“ werden."
1st Joint Workshop between the Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology (TUAT), LIMES and the Agricultural Faculty Bonn on August 11, 2011
Prof. Harald zur Hausen, Nobel Laureat, visits the LIMES Institute
Viruses and cancer? What can we expect from the next decade? New therapies, new diagnostics or better prevention?
Professor zur Hausen discussed these important issues with students, researchers and colleagues at the LIMES Institute on February 22nd.
The LIMES Institute has started a new seminar series focusing on prevention, health and nutrition. The opening seminar was held by Professor zur Hausen, Nobel Laureat for Medicine in 2008. He is one of the world's experts on the pathophysiology of viral-induced cancers. His groundbreaking findings demonstrating that cervical cancer is a consequence of human papilloma viral infection has paved the way to the development of new preventive vaccines against cancer. Today, we can offer girls and young women this preventive vaccine as a medical routine, however this would not have been possible without the basic science led by Professor zur Hausen over more than two decades. Professor zur Hausen's work is an outstanding example demonstrating that excellent basic science is absolutely required for the development of effective preventive health measures.
This is exactly what the LIMES Institute is aiming for with this new lecture series, funded by the Hanns Martin Schleyer-Stiftung. While the Institute focuses on basic scientific questions, in the long run, these findings might also help to develop better preventive measures and increase health in our society.
New publication in The Journal of Biological Chemistry:
AUP1, a novel regulator of fat stores
Bonner Hochschultage in the LIMES Institute
From February 14 to 18 the University of Bonn conducted an orientation week for students.
In lectures, workshops or guided tours the institutes were presenting about 30 different study programs.
In the LIMES Institute Prof. Joachim Schultze, head of the Division Molecular Biomedicine, introduced the study program Molecular Biomedicine and gave information on the structure, the contents and the future prospects.
February 2011
LIMES Institute participates in the "Wissenschaftsrallye 2011" of the University of Bonn
Prof. Famulok receives ERC Advanced Grant 2010
The European Research Council (ERC) has accorded a grand of almost 2,5 million Euros to Prof. Famulok of the LIMES Institute.
Press release European Research Council
Paper in NATURE: FOXO-dependent regulation of innate immune homeostasis
Abstract:
The innate immune system represents an ancient host defence mechanism that protects against invading microorganisms. An important class of immune effector molecules to fight pathogen infections are antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) that are produced in plants and animals1.
In Drosophila, the induction of AMPs in response to infection is regulated through the activation of the evolutionarily conserved Toll and immune deficiency (IMD) pathways2. Here we show that AMP activation can be achieved independently of these immunoregulatory pathways by the transcription factor FOXO, a key regulator of stress resistance, metabolism and ageing. In non-infected animals, AMP genes are activated in response to nuclear FOXO activity when induced by starvation, using insulin signalling mutants, or by applying small molecule inhibitors. AMP induction is lost in foxo null mutants but enhanced when FOXO is overexpressed.
Expression of AMP genes in response to FOXO activity can also be triggered in animals unable to respond to immune challenges due to defects in both the Toll and IMD pathways. Molecular experiments at the Drosomycin promoter indicate that FOXO directly binds to its regulatory region, thereby inducing its transcription. In vivo studies in Drosophila, but also studies in human lung, gut, kidney and skin cells indicate that a FOXO-dependent regulation of AMPs is evolutionarily conserved.
Our results indicate a new mechanism of cross-regulation of metabolism and innate immunity by which AMP genes can be activated under normal physiological conditions in response to the oscillating energy status of cells and tissues. This regulation seems to be independent of the pathogen-responsive innate immunity pathways whose activation is often associated with tissue damage and repair. The sparse production of AMPs in epithelial tissues in response to FOXO may help modulating the defence reaction without harming the host tissues, in particular when animals are suffering from energy shortage or stress.
Press release Uni Bonn in German
Spiegel online: "Hunger weckt Abwehrkräfte"Becker, T., Loch, G., Beyer, M., Zinke, I., Aschenbrenner, A.C., Carrera, P., Inhester, T., Schultze, J. and Hoch, M. Foxo-dependent regulation of innate immune homeostasis. Nature 2010, 463: 369-373.
Nature Journal
Editor's Summary
The 7th Joint Symposium of the Waseda University Tokyo and the University of Bonn
On January 11 and 12, a Japanese delegation of researchers of the Waseda University, Tokyo, visited the LIMES Institute to participate in the 7th joint scientific symposium between LIMES and the ASMeW Institute, Tokyo (Consolidated Research Institute for Advances Science and Medical Care). The Japanese delegation which consisted of 14 members was headed by the President of the Waseda University, Prof. Shirai. In his welcome address, Prof. Shirai highlighted the history of the cooperation between both Institutes which was started in 2006. It has lead already to 7 joint meetings in Bonn and in Tokyo, where more than 30 Japanese and 30 German researchers met and exchanged new ideas in research and teaching in the context of the global challenges in Life Science research. These fertile activities laid the foundation to the launch of the first successful joint application to the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), which provided funding for the exchange of young investigators and professors in the last two years.
Prof. Michael Hoch (head of LIMES): "Our next step will be to prepare the application of a joint Japanese-German Research Training School, to be funded by the JSPS and the DFG (German National Research Foundation). This will further tighten our scientific interactions and will also be an important step forward in the establishment of firm international cooperations in Asia". The strong scientific ties that were established in the Life Science area by ASMeW and LIMES were also highlighted by the Dean of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Prof. Meißner, and the Rector of the University of Bonn, Prof. Fohrmann, who welcomed the Japanese delegation and pointed to the long history of the Bonn/Waseda cooperations which started almost 50 years ago.
November 2009
2nd funding period for the SFB 704
The continuation of SFB 704 (Local Immune Regulation: Spokesperson: Prof. W. Kolanus) has recently been granted by the DFG. In the second funding period (2010-2013) this SFB will comprise 18 interdisciplinary scientific projects from the faculties of Mathematics/Natural Sciences and Medicine, an integrated graduate school and four service projects. The financial volume of the entire grant amounts to more than 11 Mio €.
November 2009
DFG fördert Lipidforschung in Heidelberg, Dresden und Bonn
Neuer Sonderforschungsbereich/Transregio TRR83 eingerichtet
Als gemeinsamer Verbund der Lipidforschung an den Universitäten Heidelberg, Dresden und Bonn wird der Sonderforschungsbereich/Transregio (SFB/TRR 83) „Molekulare Architektur und Zelluläre Funktionen von Lipid/Protein-Komplexen“ eingerichtet. Nach erfolgreicher Begutachtung hat die Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) dafür Fördermittel in Höhe von rund 8 Millionen Euro bewilligt. Sprecherhochschule ist die Universität Heidelberg; das Life & Medical Sciences Institute (LIMES) der Uni Bonn ist maßgeblich an den standortübergreifenden Arbeiten beteiligt. Der SFB/Transregio wird im Januar 2010 seine Arbeit aufnehmen und von der DFG über einen Zeitraum von zunächst vier Jahren gefördert.
Press release Uni Bonn
November 2009
"schlank"-gene controls growth and body fat in Drosophila.Genetic defect inhibits fruit flies from being able to store fat.
Scientists at the LIMES-Institute have discovered a previously unknown fruit fly gene that controls the metabolism of fat. Larvae in which this gene is defective lose their entire fat reserves. Therefore the researchers called the gene ’schlank’ (German for ’slim’). Mammals carry a group of genes that are structurally very similar to ’schlank’. They possibly take on a similar function in the energy metabolism. The scientists therefore have hopes in new medicines with which obesity could be fought.
If scientists decipher the function of a gene, they are allowed to name it. With the fruit fly Drosophila there is a rather paradox convention. The names always indicate what the fly looks like if the respective gene is defective. That is also the case with the schlank gene. If it is unimpaired the fly larva can build up fat reserves. It becomes fat. ‘Larvae with a mutation of schlank, however, remain slim,’ Professor Michael Hoch from the University of Bonn explains. ‘In extreme cases the defect can even lead to death.’
Together with Dr. Reinhard Bauer and other employees the development biologist has explored what exactly ’schlank’ does. According to their research the gene contains the instructions of what is known as ceramide synthase. Ceramides serve as raw materials for the gauzy membranes that enclose all of the cells in the body. Moreover, schlank also has a regulatory function. It promotes lipid synthesis and at the same time inhibits the mobilisation of fat from the fat reserves.
There is a chance that this is not only the case in fruit flies. Humans also produce ceramide synthases however not just one as Drosophila does but rather as many as six different ones. For this purpose humans rely on a group of genes so-called Lass genes. Ceramide synthases are extremely important for animals. Mutations in the corresponding genes lead to severe metabolic disorders and to malfunctions of organ systems. That is why our Lass genes look surprisingly similar to the schlank gene of fruit flies.
This resemblance is so striking that Lass genes from mice can partially compensate for the defect schlank gene in mutant flies. ‘We introduced a mouse Lass gene in mutant Drosophila larvae,’ Michael Hoch says. ‘Normally the larvae died immediately after hatching. Thanks to the Lass gene they resumed building up body fat and survived until the next development stage.’
Up to now, the Lass genes of mammals have not been connected with the regulation of the lipid metabolism. ‘But due to the strong parallels with schlank we think such a function is very probable,’ Professor Hoch presumes. ‘If this is the case they would be a promising approach for new medications for obesity.’
zur Pressemitteilung der Universität
DOI: 10.1038/emboj.2009.305
pdf
July 2009
LIbES kickers win the Biocup 2009
Themed "we break your ground" the LIbES kickers took part in the Biocup 2009 - a soccer tournament organised by the "Fachschaft Biologie". Six mixed teams competed in this soccer tournament for biologists that took place in the Rheinaue on June 27.
Our "lovely" team (the name of the team is derived from a misunderstaning: someone once entitled our Insitute LIEBES-Institute) was successful and snatched the trophy: a big box of Haribo gummy bears. Congratulations!
Teammitglieder von hinten links bis vorne rechts aufgelistet: Dominik Geiger (special guest), Peter Kuckenberg (AG Schorle), Anna Gündner (AG Hoch), Gerrit Loch (AG Hoch), Marius Wegner (AG Pankratz), Christian Wingen (AG Hoch),
Jan van Üüm (AG Lang), Sonita Afschar (AG Höhfeld), Sylvia Fechner (Caesar), Riga Tawo (AG Höhfeld).
June 2009
Publication in ErgoMed 3/2009:
Quantitative risk assessment during a pandemic
A new instrument for businesses to install risk adapted action during pandemic influenza
The fast development of new influenza A(H1N1) made very clear, how fast a new influenza virus can spread around the world. At the beginning of the disease outbreak in Mexico and the United States of America end of April beginning of May, global news coverage was at its peak. Although the virus has since spread all over the world, and morbidity increased by a factor of 100, news coverage has declined significantly. Therefore, media coverage is not a good measure for the risk assessment of the new influenza A(H1N1) virus. Since the beginning of the outbreak national and international agencies release the cumulative overall case counts as well as the daily new counts. Although these absolute numbers are important, they cannot be used directly to assess risk, since they are not related to population density.
Darstellung der Vier-Wochen Prävalenz mit Hilfe eines Geographic Information System. Jedes Land wird entsprechend seiner Prävalenz in der entsprechenden Farbe dargestellt. Die Daten werden aus einer SQL-Datenbank auf einem zentralen Webserver ausgelesen. Bei täglicher Aktualisierung besteht die Möglichkeit, Prävalenzen für jeden Tag individuell anzuzeigen.
With these facts in mind, we have developed a quantitative risk assessment based on the four week prevalence of confirmed cases of influenza A(H1N1). Using web-based technology, the prevalence is visualized using a geographic information system as well as tables that are ranked and color-coded based on the prevalence values. Using a five level risk model, countries are classified into five risk categories, and this classification can now be used e.g. for travel recommendations. For simulation purposes, the prevalences of confirmed cases can be multiplied, e.g. to estimate the number of clinical cases that might not have been confirmed by laboratory tests. Using the specialized web portal InPaRisKO (www.inparisko.eu) we demonstrate how this quantitative risk management can be integrated in existing inter- oder intranet portals.
Prof. Dr. med. Joachim L. Schultze
LIMES-Institut, Genomik und Immunregulation,
Universität Bonn, Karlrobert-Kreiten Str. 13,
53115 Bonn
June 2009
The 6th Joint Symposium in Tokyo has strengthened the scientific ties between the Waseda University Tokyo and the University of Bonn
Based on the strong belief that global partnership is an important factor to promote research and training in Life and Medical Sciences, LIMES reinforced in the last years the cooperations with top international research institutions. ASMeW (Consolidated Research Institute for Advances Science and Medical Care) of the Waseda University in Tokyo has become our most important partner in Asia and in 2006, we agreed upon a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between both research institutions. Today, we can look back on 6 joint meetings in Bonn and in Tokyo, where more than 30 Japanese and 30 German researchers met and exchanged new ideas in research and teaching in the context of the global challenges in Life Science research. These fertile activities led to the launch of our first successful joint application to the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), which will provide funding for the exchange of young investigators and professors in the upcoming three years.
Prof. Michael Hoch (head of LIMES): "Our next step will be to come together in autumn 2009 to prepare the application of a joint Japanese-German Graduate School, to be funded by the JSPS and the DFG (German National Research Foundation). We are proud of the personal, cultural and scientific ties that have already been established and we look forward to building on this foundation to meet the global challenges that lie ahead for both of our institutions."
May 2009
Paper in Cancer Research on the characterization of non-tumor-reactive CD8+ cytotoxic T cells in melanoma patients
Cytotoxic CD8+ T cells are the major effector arm of the immune system to specifically target and destroy tumor cells. Researchers from the Laboratory for Genomics and Immunoregulation, led by Prof. Joachim L. Schultze (LIMES), in cooperation with scientists from Frankfurt and Cologne discovered a new subset of tumor antigen-specific CD8+ T cells unable to efficiently recognize and destroy tumor cells.
Immune-mediated tumor rejection relies on fully functional T-cell responses and neutralization of an adverse tumor microenvironment. However, in the majority of human tumors the immune system is not successful to encounter and destroy the tumor. LIMES researchers now could provide new insights into the role of cytotoxic CD8+ T cells in tumor patients. In clinical trials the group of Prof. Schultze detected peptide-specific, but non-tumor-reactive and therefore not fully functional CD8+ T cells post vaccination against tumor antigens. To identify the molecular mechanisms behind non-tumor-reactivity experiments utilizing genome-wide transcriptional profiling were performed as a basis to understand and ultimately to therapeutically overcome this CD8+ T-cell deviation. Studying non-tumor-reactive CD8+ T cells after NY-ESO-1 antigen vaccination in human melanoma patients, the group of Prof. Schultze reports that these non-tumor-reactive CD8+ T cells are characterized by a molecular program associated with hallmarks of 'division arrest anergy'. Non-tumor-reactive CD8+ T cells are characterized by co-expression of CD7, CD25, and CD69, as well as elevated levels of lckp505 and p27kip1.
Moreover, in vivo quantification of the subset of non-tumor-reactive CD8+ T cells revealed high prevalence of non-tumor-reactive CD8+ T cells with increased levels during cancer vaccination. Furthermore, their presence was associated with a trend towards shorter survival.
LIMES scientists hypothesize that dynamics and frequencies of non-target-reactive CD8+ T cells need to be further addressed in context of therapeutic vaccine development in cancer, chronic infections and autoimmune diseases. Expansion of this cell population during immune reactions might lead to a deviation of an otherwise effective immune response, as these cells might influence truly tumor-reactive CD8+ T cells or occupy the niche necessary for the expansion of effective tumor-reactive CD8+ T cells.
The results of this study are published in the current issue of the Cancer Research.
For further information, contact:
Prof. Dr. Joachim L. Schultze, ,j.schultze@uni-bonn.de
Laboratory for Genomics and Immunoregulation
LIMES (Life and Medical Sciences), University of Bonn
Original publication:
Marc Beyer, Julia Karbach, Michael R. Mallmann, Thomas Zander, Daniela Eggle, Sabine Classen, Svenja Debey-Pascher, Michael Famulok, Elke Jäger, Joachim L. Schultze (2009) Cancer vaccine enhanced, non-tumor-reactive CD8+ T cells exhibit a distinct molecular program associated with ‘division arrest anergy’. Cancer Research 69, 4346, May 15, 2009. Published Online First May 12, 2009.March 2009
President's Visit from Waseda University to Bonn and Joint Symposium between ASMeW and LIMES
The University of Bonn and Waseda University look back on a long-standing and close cooperation which was formally initiated as early as in 1960. Since then, both universities have actively pursued academic exchanges on all levels and have fostered joint research activities. In 1991 Waseda established a European Center in Bonn which has continually contributed to a joint cooperation and also helped to initiate new contacts.
The collaboration between LIMES and ASMeW (Consolidated Research Institute for Advances Science and Medical Care) is one of the major outcomes of this development.
Prof. Katsuhiko SHIRAI, President of Waseda University (Tokyo) and Chairman ASMeW at the fifth ASMeW/LIMES-Symposium on March 10, 2009 in Bonn
The Japanese delegation visiting the new LIMES building
September 2, 2008
Michael Famulok receives the GlaxoSmithKline Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Chemical Biology on the occasion of the 20th Symposium on Medicinal Chemistry in Vienna
This award recognises Professor Famulok’s excellent contributions in the development and application of aptamer- and allosteric ribozyme-based technologies that are instrumental in different areas of chemical biology and drug discovery. Remarkably, Prof. Famulok has established aptamer-displacement assays and aptamer-regulated allosteric ribozymes to successfully identify small molecules able to mimic the inhibitory profile of aptamers in order to overcome issues related to the scarce drug-like profile of the latter. For example, SecinH3 was identified as the first small molecule inhibitor of cytohesins. The work of Prof. Famulok represents an outstanding contribution to several important domains of chemical biology which comprise the elucidation of chemical mechanisms in biological systems, the expansion of biological knowledge through chemistry, the enhancement of understanding of protein function and ligand-protein interactions. The brilliant results achieved by Prof. Famulok are certified by his research articles published in high quality scientific journals. We would like to congratulate Professor Famulok on this outstanding contribution to the field of Chemical Biology and wish him continued success in his future endeavours.
September 2008
Paper in (and cover of) the Journal of Immunology on the role of dendritic cells in life-threatening granulomatous infections such as tuberculosis
Copyright © 2008 by The American Association of Immunologists, Inc. All rights reserved.
Dendritic cells (DC) and macrophages play an important role in pathogen sensing and antimicrobial defense. Researches from the Laboratory for Genomics and Immunoregulation, led by Prof. Joachim L. Schultze (LIMES, SFB704 / SFB670), in cooperation with scientists from Cologne and Gießen discovered a new role for myeloid DC in infections, associated with granuloma formation.
New insights into the role of DC in granulomatous infections were provided by experiments utilizing genome-wide transcriptional profiling. Studying infection of human myeloid DC with Listeria monocytogenes, the group of Prof. Schultze found out, that infected DC are modified by the pathogen to express multiple inhibitory molecules, including indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), cyclooxygenase-2, interleukin 10 and CD25, which acts on DC as IL-2 scavenger. All these inhibitory molecules, expressed on regulatory DC (DCreg), are strictly TNF-dependent and are in concert suppressing T-cell responses. Moreover, only DCreg can efficiently control the number of intracellular listeria, mostly by IDO-mediated mechanisms and by other factors, remaining to be identified. Analyzing transcriptional changes in DC and macrophages, infected by various pathogens and parasites, the group of Prof. Schultze has noticed that infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis causes transcriptional response, comparable with the one caused by listeria. In fact, granuloma in tuberculosis and listeriosis were enriched for myeloid DC and macrophages characterized by regulatory phenotype.
LIMES scientists hypothesize that regulatory myeloid DC and macrophages may play a dual role during life-threatening granulomatous infections, such as tuberculosis: on one hand, regulatory myeloid cells promote pathogen containment by efficiently killing intracellular bacteria, on the other hand these cells inhibit granuloma-associated T cells and thereby might be involved in the retention of TNF-controlled granuloma integrity protecting the host from granuloma break-down and pathogen dissemination.
The results of this study are published in the current issue of the Journal of Immunology.
For further information, contact:
Prof. Dr. Joachim L. Schultze
j.schultze@uni-bonn.de
Laboratory for Genomics and Immunoregulation
LIMES (Life and Medical Sciences), University of Bonn
zur Pressemitteilung der Universität Bonn
Original publication:
Popov A, Driesen J, Abdullah Z, Wickenhauser C, Beyer M, Debey-Pascher S, Saric T, Kummer S, Takikawa O, Domann E, Chakraborty T, Krönke M, Utermöhlen O, Schultze JL (2008) Infection of Myeloid Dendritic Cells with Listeria monocytogenes Leads to the Suppression of T Cell Function by Multiple Inhibitory Mechanisms. J Immunol 181:4976-4988
Related literature:
Popov A, Abdullah Z, Wickenhauser C, Saric T, Driesen J, Hanisch FG, Domann E, Raven EL, Dehus O, Hermann C, Eggle D, Debey S, Chakraborty T, Kronke M, Utermohlen O, Schultze JL (2006) Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase-expressing dendritic cells form suppurative granulomas following Listeria monocytogenes infection. J Clin Invest 116:3160-3170
Popov A, Schultze JL (2008) IDO-expressing regulatory dendritic cells in cancer and chronic infection. J Mol Med 86:145-160
Driesen J, Popov A, Schultze JL (2008) CD25 as an immune regulatory molecule expressed on myeloid dendritic cells. Immunobiology in press
March 19, 2008
Entscheidung gefallen: Land NRW fördert LIMES-Forschungsschule!
Ausbildung für die Spitzenforscher von morgen
Land NRW fördert in Bonn drei neue Forschungsschulen
Das Land Nordrhein-Westfalen fördert an der Universität Bonn ab dem Wintersemester 2008/2009 drei neue Forschungsschulen in den Bereichen Chemische Biologie, Biotech-Pharma und - in Zusammenarbeit mit der RWTH Aachen - Informatik. Ziel der neuen Einrichtungen ist es, herausragende Studierende schnell und systematisch zur Promotion zu führen.
Die Forschungsschule "LIMES Chemical Biology" ist fachlich an der Grenze zwischen der Chemie und den Lebenswissenschaften angesiedelt. Die Universität hatte vor fünf Jahren den universitätsinternen Forscherverbund LIMES ("Life and Medical Sciences") gegründet. Seither konnten bereits zahlreiche Forschungserfolge erzielt werden; Publikationen in international führenden Fachzeitschriften und erhebliche Drittmitteleinwerbungen dokumentieren das. Mit der neuen Forschungsschule soll nun auch die Ausbildung des Spitzennachwuchses für diesen Bereich sicher gestellt werden. Für die dazu notwendige Internationalität sorgen strategische Partnerschaften mit Spitzenuniversitäten im asiatischen Raum.
Insgesamt hat das Wissenschaftsministerium die Förderung von 17 Forschungsschulen im Land bekannt gegeben. Innovationsminister Prof. Andreas Pinkwart sagte, mit den Forschungsschulen wolle NRW die besten jungen Nachwuchswissenschaftler gewinnen. "Wer an die Spitze will, braucht die besten Köpfe und muss attraktive Perspektiven bieten." Das strukturierte Doktorandenangebot der Forschungsschulen eröffnet herausragenden Studierenden die Chance, auf hohem internationalen Niveau bei den jeweiligen Spitzenforscherteams der Hochschulen zu promovieren. Wer in einer Forschungsschule aufgenommen wird, erhält zugleich auch ein monatliches Stipendium in Höhe von bis zu 1.300 Euro.
March 2008: Nature publication "Displacement of protein-bound aptamers with small molecules screened by fluorescence polarization"
March 2008: Paper in Nature Cell Biology on Wech and its role in muscle attachment
Uraltes Gen reguliert Muskelbefestigung
Bonner Forscher identifizieren Erbanlage, die in Fruchtfliegen wie auch im Menschen vorkommt
Wissenschaftler der Universität Bonn haben in der Fruchtfliege und Säugern ein Gen identifiziert, das in sehr ähnlicher Form auch beim Menschen vorkommt. Die Erbanlage ist für die Befestigung von Muskeln im Körper notwendig. Mutationen haben den völligen Verlust der Muskelverankerung zur Folge, wodurch die Körpermuskeln keine Zugkraft entwickeln können, sich abrunden und letztlich degenerieren. Das neue Gen, das in der Fruchtfliege und im Menschen in nur einer Kopie vorkommt und von den Forschern „Wech“ genannt wurde, reguliert den Zusammenhalt von Zellen. Der Funktionsverlust kann möglicherweise neben Muskeldefekten auch schwerste Hauterkrankungen und Metastasierung und Tumorbildung zur Folge haben. Die Forscher haben ihre Ergebnisse jetzt in der Zeitschrift Nature Cell Biology (DOI: 10.1038/ncb1704) veröffentlicht.press release
Nature Cell Biology pdf
DIE ZEIT Nr. 13, 19. März 2008, Seite 34:
"Muskeln bei Mensch und Fliege werden vom Wech-Gen reguliert. Wissenschaftler der Universität Bonn haben in Säugetieren und der Fruchtfliege Drosophila dieses Gen identifiziert. Es sorgt dafür, dass Körperzellen an Oberflächen und anderen Zellen haften (Nature Cell Biology online).
Wurde das Gen bei Drosophila ausgeschaltet, so löste sich die Muskulatur von der Körperwand und die Fliegen starben schon als Embryonen. Das Wech-Gen ist auch bei Mäusen und Menschen aktiv.
Es hat sich seit mehreren Hundert Millionen Jahren kaum verändert – wahrscheinlich weil es so wichtig ist, dass praktisch alle Mutationen tödlich wirken."
January 2008:
LIMES research on the cover of Angewandte Chemie
press release in:
Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung Nr. 26, 31.1.2008 Forschung und Lehre, S. 39 "Origami mit Erbmolekülen" von Anne Hardy
Conference on Behavioral Neurogenetics of Drosophila Larva together with Janelia Farm Research Campus/HHMI in October 2008
January 21, 2008
Topping-out ceremony for the LIMES building
Bau- und Liegenschaftsbetrieb NRW (BLB NRW) und Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn feiern Richtfest.
from left:
Prof. Hans-Ulrich Kilian (K+H Architekten und Generalplaner),
Dr. Martin Brahns (BLB NRW, Niederlassungsleiter Köln),
2 Zimmerleute,
Oliver Wittke (Minister für Bauen und Verkehr NRW),
Prof. Dr. Michael Hoch (Institut für Molekulare Biomedizin, Wissenschaftlicher Leiter),
Prof. Dr. Max P. Baur (Universität Bonn, Prorektor),
Ferdinand Tiggemann (BLB NRW - Zentrale - Geschäftsführer),
Helmut Joisten (Stadt Bonn - Bürgermeister)
Endlich war es soweit: das LIMES-Gebäude feierte Richtfest! Als Gastgeber begrüßten am Montag, den 21. Januar 2008 der nordrhein-westfälische Bauminister Oliver Wittke und Ferdinand Tiggemann (Geschäftsführer des BLB NRW) zahlreiche Gäste im LIMES-Gebäude an der Carl-Troll-Straße.
Mit dem Richtspruch der Zimmerleute wurde zum einen ein Dank an die Architekten und den Bauherren, zum anderen die Bitte um Gottes Segen für das Haus ausgesprochen.
Prof. Hoch, der wissenschaftliche Leiter des LIMES-Projektes, dankte allen, die am Fortkommen des LIMES-Baus mitgewirkt haben. "Die räumliche Zusammenführung in einem fachübergreifenden Hochleistungszentrum für Chemische Biologie und Biomedizin wird uns ermöglichen, an den Brennpunkten der biomedizinischen Wissenschaft intensiv zusammenzuarbeiten und mit gemeinsamen Forschungs- und Ausbildungsprogrammen national und international zu kompetieren", sagte Prof. Hoch.
Glückwünsche wurden auch von Bürgermeister Joisten, Prorektor Prof. Baur und Prof. Kilian vom K+H Architekturbüro überbracht.
Mit einem Investitionsvolumen von 25 Mio. EUR ist das LIMES-Gebäude eines der ersten Neubauten für den neuen "Campus-Poppelsdorf" der Universität Bonn und das erste Leuchtturmprojekt im neuen Hochschulstandortentwicklungsplan, den die Universität gemeinsam mit dem BLB aufgestellt hat.
Press release Generalanzeiger Bonn, 22.01.08
Interview mit Prof. Bajorath in LaborPraxis Nov. 2007
"Ähnlichkeiten von Molekülen"
Die Struktur und biologische Aktivität von Verbindungen und deren Zielstrukturen im menschlichen Körper spielen bei der Wirkstoffentwicklung eine wichtige Rolle. Bonner Forscher entwickeln Computermethoden, mit deren Hilfe sich die Analysen vereinfachen lassen.
LIMES research in BIOforum 05/2007, S. 32-34:
"Heterogene Struktur-Aktivitäts-Beziehungen. Variable Aktivitätslandschaften und ihre Bedeutung für die Wirkstoffentwicklung"
Die Natur von Struktur-Aktivitäts- Beziehungen ist von herausragender Bedeutung für den Erfolg von Methoden
zur Identifikation neuer Wirkstoffe. Die systematische Analyse von
Struktur, Bindungskonformation und Wirksamkeit für eine Reihe von Enzyminhibitoren zeigt Zusammenhänge zwischen verschiedenen Arten von Struktur-Aktivitäts-Beziehungen auf und demonstriert deren Koexistenz für Inhibitoren desselben Enzyms. Diese
Einsichten haben weitreichende Konsequenzen für die Wirkstoffentwicklung.
June 2007
Paper in NATURE CELL BIOLOGY: 'Wurst' ensures that the respiratory system works
March 2007, forsch spezial
"Umworbene Rohdiamanten
Molekulare Biomedizin: Ein nicht ganz alltäglicher Studiengang"
March 2007, forsch spezial
"Von Harvard nach Bonn -
US-Eliteuni schickt Studierende an den Rhein"
January 12, 2007
Positive decision for "LIMES Chemical Biology" in the 2nd round of the German Excellence Initiative!
The international review panels and the Joint Commission of the German Science Council and the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) have positively evaluated our project proposal for the establishment of an International Graduate School "LIMES Chemical Biology". It was one of two prosposals of the University of Bonn for International Graduate Schools which were positively evaluated by the commissions and invited for a main proposal which will have to be delivered in April. The final funding decision will be taken in October 2007.
press release of the University of Bonn
Two NATURE papers on December 14, 2006
M. Hafner, A. Schmitz, I. Grüne, S. G. Srivatsan, B. Paul, W. Kolanus, T. Quast, E. Kremmer, I. Bauer, M. Famulok, Inhibition of cytohesins by SecinH3 leads to hepatic insulin resistance. Nature 444, 941-944 (2006). [PubMed]
B. Fuss, T. Becker, I. Zinke, M. Hoch, The cytohesin Steppke is essential for insulin signalling in Drosophila. Nature 444, 945-948 (2006). [PubMed]
Press release in Sci. STKE, 19 December 2006Vol. 2006, Issue 366, p. tw424
"Zentrale Stellschraube im Insulinstoffwechsel entdeckt.
Chemiker und Biologen finden Gen, dessen Defekt zur Entstehung von Typ II-Diabetes beitragen könnte"
Press release of the University of Bonn in German
Zu dieser Pressemitteilung ist Footage-Material auf Mini-DV vorhanden. Bitte setzen Sie sich bei Interesse mit Frank Luerweg, 0228/73-4728, fluerweg@uni-bonn.de, in Verbindung.
Interview mit Prof. Hoch
Interview mit Prof. Famulok
Aufnahmen im Labor Prof. Hoch
Aufnahmen im Labor Prof. Famulok
Ground-breaking ceremony for the LIMES biocenter on December 8, 2005!
A novel research center, the LIMES (Life & Medical Sciences) biocenter, is built on the University campus Bonn-Poppelsdorf to assemble and integrate most of the biomedically oriented research groups of the Science Faculty in one central building. There will be 19 laboratories including the four new LIMES professorships in the areas of lipid biochemistry and local immune regulation. The majority of the LIMES groups are already linked through participation in SFB 645 and 704. Furthermore, these groups participate in the undergraduate program Molecular Biomedicine and in the postgraduate training school GRK 804. Major scientific topics include chemical biology, lipid metabolism, membrane biology and local immune regulation. The LIMES biocenter will also provide a high throughput cluster for combinatorial chemistry techniques. This center will provide 9,100 sqm space for laboratories and teaching which will also be used to integrate novel professorships and junior groups.
from left:
Barbara Ludwig-Leylabi, Niederlassungsleiterin Bau- und Liegenschaftsbetrieb NRW (BLB),
Prof. Dr. Matthias Winiger, Rektor der Universiät Bonn,
Dr. Uwe Günther, Geschäftsführer des Bau- und Liegenschaftsbetriebes NRW (BLB),
Andreas Pinkwart, NRW-Innvoationsminister,
Helmut Joisten, Bürgermeister der Stadt Bonn,
Prof. Michael Hoch, Wissenschaftlicher Leiter des LIMES-Projektes
Quelle: Generalanzeiger vom 09.12.05, Seite 11:
"Ein gemeinsames Dach für Bonner Spitzenforscher"
Minister Andreas Pinkwart kommt zum Spatenstich für 50 Millionen Euro teures LIMES-Biozentrum