Research and Study at the University of Excellence in Bonn

Researchers at the University of Bonn and the University of Cambridge have identified an important control circuit involved in the eating process. The study has revealed that fly larvae have special sensors, or receptors, in their esophagus that are triggered as soon as the animal swallows something. If the larva has swallowed food, they tell the brain to release serotonin. This messenger substance – which is often also referred to as the feel-good hormone – ensures that the larva continues to eat. The researchers assume that humans also have a very similar control circuit. The results were recently published in the journal “Current Biology.”

An unprecedented program is to be rolled out to deal with future pandemics: Researchers from the Universities of Melbourne and Bonn and University Hospital of Bonn are teaming up with a billionaire backer to develop new therapeutics and strengthen natural immune response. The Cumming Global Centre and the University of Bonn have today announced the creation of the Bonn-Cumming Host-Directed Pandemic Therapeutics Research Program. Initial program funding of €6 million may potentially be increased to up to €40 million. Philanthropic billionaire Geoff Cumming is putting up a large part of this funding. 

The Federal Press Office has recently announced that Gerd Faltings, Director Emeritus of the Max Planck Institute for Mathematics in Bonn and an emeritus of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at the University of Bonn, has been elected a member of the Order Pour le Mérite. The order thus now boasts 34 German and 37 international members, including 17 Nobel laureates. 

Specialized nerve cells in the temporal lobe react highly selectively to images and names of a single person or specific objects. Researchers at the University Hospital Bonn (UKB) and the University of Bonn have provided direct evidence for the first time that the so-called concept neurons are indeed the building blocks of our memory for experiences. Their results have now been published in the renowned journal "Nature Communications".