On the occasion of World Day for Laboratory Animals, researchers of the 3R Competence Network NRW explain how animal experimentation can be improved and why it is still necessary.
Mathematical modelling and analysis are essential for all fields of the life sciences nowadays, ranging from basic research to clinical application. The collaboration between mathematicians and life scientists has a long tradition in Bonn. This week Bonn researchers exchange views with colleagues from Germany and abroad on the current status and possible future developments at an international conference at the Wissenschaftszentrum Bonn.
Cisplatin is used successfully in the chemotherapy of testicular cancer. However, patients who develop resistance to the cytostatic drug urgently need alternative therapy options. Researchers at the University Hospital Bonn (UKB) have now been able to elucidate a mechanism underlying cisplatin resistance in testicular cancer. Using CRISPR gene scissors, they identified the NAE1 gene as its driver. Inhibiting this resistance mediator by adding the NAE1 inhibitor MLN4924 not only restores the effect of cisplatin, but also has an additional killing effect on tumor cells. The study results have now been published in the British Journal of Cancer.
The members of the recently newly elected University Council of the University of Bonn have been handed their appointment certificates for their 2023–2028 term of office by Gonca Türkeli-Dehnert, State Secretary in the Ministry of Culture and Science of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. At the inaugural meeting following the presentation, the University Council re-elected Prof. Dr. Dieter Engels, former President of the Federal Court of Auditors, as its Chairperson. Prof. Engels has chaired the body since as long ago as 2013.
The research group led by Dr. Laura Surace at the Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology at the University Hospital Bonn has received funding from the German Cancer Aid through the Max Eder Junior Research Group Program. The program was established to specifically support the research of up-and-coming young oncologists. This is intended to benefit not only the field of oncology, but also the training of the researchers. Surace joins a group of around 30 young scientists who are being supported throughout Germany.
Worm infections (helminthiases) affect around 1.5 billion people worldwide, making them one of the most prevalent infections in humans. Parasitic worms (helminths) are often transmitted through insect bites or contaminated soil in areas with limited access to clean water, sanitation, and healthcare. These infections can cause chronic and debilitating health problems, such as lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis (river blindness), loiasis (African eye worm), mansonellosis, and trichuriasis (whipworm infection).In the new eWHORM project, coordinated by Prof. Dr. Marc Hübner from the University of Bonn, African and European partners join forces to enable the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) “Road Map for Neglected Tropical Diseases” (NTDs) and reduce the burden of disease associated with worm infections.
On Monday, the German Association of University Professors and Lecturers (DHV) named our Rector Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Michael Hoch “Rector of the Year.”
For more than 50 years, it has been suspected that fat cells constantly remodel the lipids they store. Researchers at the University of Bonn have now demonstrated this process directly for the first time using culture cells. Among other things, the study shows that the cells quickly eliminate harmful fatty acids. They refine others into molecules that can be used more effectively. In the long term, this turns the components of palm fat into the building blocks of high-quality olive oil, for example. The results have now been published in the journal Nature Metabolism.