EXC 2151:  ImmunoSensation2 - the immune sensory system

• Subject Area: Microbiology, Virology and Immunology ; Basic Research in Biology and Medicine ; Medicine
• Term: since 2019
• Website: Homepage
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 390873048

The immune system is essential for our health, yet its dysregulation is involved in the pathogenesis of many common diseases. With the concept of an immune sensory system, which integrates the sensing functions of immune and non-immune cells, ImmunoSensation has become one of the leading centers for immunological research (Bonn Center of Immunology). Our seminal contributions, especially in the field of innate immunity, include the identification of novel receptor ligands, a new second messenger, new paradigms of cell-to-cell communication, a new classification of macrophage activation, insights into immunopathogenesis of cancer, a new target to restore cognitive function, and the impact of Western diet on trained immunity. Our basic research has led to two start-up companies, with two compounds in clinical trials in immuno-oncology. The cluster ImmunoSensation has now further refined and expanded its scientific concept (ImmunoSensation2) to decipher the principles of what we view as immune intelligence. This concept recognizes that the immune system takes decisions based on limited sets of sensory input received from microbes, tissue damage, metabolic state and tissue environment. We postulate that functional immune circuits relay information from immune effector phases back to the sensing level, allowing the ongoing adaptation of immune surveillance sensitivity and response quality. We propose that integrating functional immunogenomics and mathematical modeling will support systems immunology approaches to better understand immune networks, allow better prediction of immune responses in homeostatic and pathologic conditions, and lead to target-specific interventions to precisely regulate immune functions and resolve pathological inflammation. In ImmunoSensation2, a unique set of collaborative scientific approaches for perturbation and characterization of immunological events will be harnessed to address important, unresolved scientific questions. High-resolution deep geno- and phenotyping, epidemiological investigation through the prospective cohort DZNE Rhineland Study, and an interdisciplinary initiative for biomathematical modeling with the Hausdorff Center for Mathematics open new perspectives. The DZNE has allocated large resources to strengthen research on neuroinflammation. The Bonn Technology Campus provides joint technical infrastructure between the University, DZNE and the Max Planck-associated caesar. Its collaborative design together with a comprehensive set of educational and early career measures, such as the female group leader+ program, will continue to attract young researchers and leading scientists alike. ImmunoSensation2, as the driving force of the Bonn Center of Immunology, is uniquely positioned to realize the great potential of its enthusiastic team and uncover the principles of the immune sensory system to develop innovative therapies for immune-related diseases and inflammation-driven chronic degenerative processes.

• DFG Programme: Clusters of Excellence (ExStra)
• Applicant Institution: Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn
• Participating Institution: Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE)
• Spokespersons: Professor Dr. Gunther Hartmann; Professor Dr. Waldemar Kolanus, since 4/2020; Professor Dr. Eicke Latz, until 4/2023; Professor Dr. Joachim L. Schultze, until 4/2020
• Participating Researchers: Professorin Dr. Zeinab Abdullah; Professor Dr. Heinz Beck; Professorin Dr. Regina Christine Betz; Professor Dr. Frank Bradke; Professorin Dr. Monique M. B. Breteler, Ph.D.; Professorin Dr. Irmgard Förster; Professor Dr. Matthias Geyer; Professor Dr. Michael Thomas Heneka; Professor Dr. Achim Hoerauf; Professor Dr. Michael Hölzel; Professor Dr. Hiroki Kato; Professorin Dr. Eva Kiermaier; Professor Dr. Christian Kurts; Professor Dr. Mihai G. Netea; Professor Dr. Markus M. Nöthen; Professorin Dr. Katrin Paeschke; Professor Dr. Michael Pankratz; Professor Dr. Andreas Schlitzer; Professorin Dr. Dagmar Wachten; Professor Christoph Wilhelm, Ph.D.; Professor Dr. Andreas Zimmer