Balling's research in the past has focused in particular on studying the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's. In Bonn, Balling will spend the next three years focusing on the questions of which mechanisms maintain homeostasis of the energetic and biological needs of immune, neuronal and other cell types in the wake of changing intrinsic or environmental conditions. In addition, he would like to investigate the consequences of dysregulation of anaplerotic responses for the pathogenesis of acute and chronic diseases, e.g. neurodegeneration, neuropsychiatric diseases, diabetes or cancer. The goal of his research will be to identify new approaches for preventive or therapeutic interventions. Among other things, he will do this by developing a computer-based "anaplerosis model" to help predict and identify anaplerosis-related drug targets.

Mitochondria are known to provide energy for our cells, but they also play an important role in the defense against pathogens. They can trigger immune responses and deprive pathogens of the nutrients they need to grow. A research team led by the Max Planck Institute for Biology of Aging in Cologne, Germany, has now shown that pathogens can turn off mitochondrial defense mechanisms by disabling a normal cellular response to stress. Scientists from the University of Bonn were also involved in the study, which was published in the journal Science.

The next science rally for children and young people aged 13 and over will take place on Saturday, January 29, 2022. Registration for the format "Science rally around Poppelsdorf digital" is possible up to and including Wednesday, January 26, 2022. On the day of the rally, science-loving participants will be welcomed at 10:00 a.m. in the Zoom webinar. Eleven virtual stations will then be open until 2:00 pm.

Long before the onset of dementia, there are signs of increased activity of the brain's immune system. Researchers at the DZNE and the University of Bonn have come to this conclusion based on a study of more than 1,000 older adults. Various proteins were recorded in the cerebrospinal fluid for this purpose: They served as so-called biomarkers that indicate inflammatory processes of the nervous system. As it turned out, some of these molecules are apparently part of an immune system damage limitation program - which could be useful for the development of new drugs. The study results have been published in the scientific journal "Neuron".

Prof. Dr. Shadi Albarqouni has been appointed Professor of Computational Medical Imaging Research at the Medical Faculty of the University of Bonn as of January 1, 2022.

Stefanie Poll took up the professorship of Circuit Biology of CNS Neoplasia with tenure track at the Institute of Experimental Epileptology and Cognitive Research at the turn of the year 2021/22.

Prof. Dr. Ilona Grunwald has been appointed Professor of Physiology and Head of the Institute of Physiology II at the Faculty of Medicine as of January 1, 2022.