Children born to obese mothers are at higher risk of developing metabolic disorders, even if they follow a healthy diet themselves. A new study from the University of Bonn offers an explanation for this phenomenon. In obese mice, certain cells in the embryo’s liver are reprogrammed during pregnancy. This leads to long-term changes in the offspring’s metabolism. The researchers believe that these findings could also be relevant for humans. The study has now been published in the journal Nature. 

Professor Valentin Stein serves as the “Digi” for the Faculty of Medicine. In the podcast, he talks about the challenges associated with running a medical clinic’s IT infrastructure, concerns about making patient data available for research, core considerations in digitalization… 

“You’re in luck—somebody is just about to leave. There’s still one spot to the left of the sign!” One thing was immediately clear, even before you’d parked your car: heavy rain earlier that Sunday morning hadn’t dampened interest in the open house at Klein-Altendorf Campus.For this year’s event, Klein-Altendorf Campus of the Faculty of Agricultural, Nutritional, and Engineering Sciences co-presented with the bio-innovationpark Rheinland in honor of its tenth anniversary. As always, there was also a tractor taxi and tours of the experimental fields and orchards.

On June 14, neurobiologist Frank Bradke, a research group leader at DZNE and professor at the University of Bonn, was officially welcomed as a new member of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities (BBAW). He received his membership certificate in Berlin during a ceremonial event in honor of the polymath and founder of the academy, Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz. This award recognizes Bradke’s outstanding scientific accomplishments in the field of neuronal development and regeneration. With his studies, the Bonn scientist, who focuses on fundamental mechanisms, aims to pave the way for a better treatment of spinal cord injuries. Bradke has already received multiple awards in acknowledgement of his research.

The new issue of the University of Bonn’s research magazine forsch is now available. In forsch 2025/01, the focus lies on the interplay between science, ethics, and global collaboration. The magazine showcases how researchers are addressing pressing societal challenges – and how science can actively contribute to public discourse.  

Bharat Desai, Professor of International Law at Jawaharlal Nehru University in India, has been honored with a Humboldt Research Award. He was nominated for the €60,000 prize by Professor Stefan Talmon, an international law expert at the University of Bonn, and will now spend a year working in Bonn alongside his host.

The German Research Foundation (DFG) has approved another 4.5 years of funding for the Research Training Group “Template-Designed Organic Electronics” (GRK 2591 – TIDE), bringing the funding total up to 7.3 million euros. The second phase of funding runs from October 2025 until April 2030. The Research Training Group on organic electronics has received funding from the Universities of Cologne and Bonn since 2021. The group provides comprehensive training to enable doctoral students to meet market demand for highly qualified, multi-disciplinary specialists in the field of organic electronics. Its speakers are Professor Klaus Meerholz in Cologne and Professor Arne Lützen in Bonn.

Each spring, Poppelsdorf Campus is transformed into a hot spot for sustainability. The public was invited to find out more about what the University of Bonn is doing in the areas of research, teaching and operations on Sustainability Day, held May 21, 2025. Numerous staff and students were involved in making the day a success, manning the 25 or so stands.