University of Bonn: New research against the climate crisis and health problems!

University of Bonn: New research against the climate crisis and health problems!

On September 15, 2025, the University of Bonn took a significant step in its excellence strategy to address global challenges. The university has established six Transdisciplinary Research Areas (TRAs) that focus on essential topics such as the climate crisis, food security and social division. These initiatives are intended not only to intensify research, but also to find answers to pressing questions of our time. This is reported by the University of Bonn.

A central element of this strategy are the Hertz professorships, which promote current and future-oriented research topics as well as innovative methods. The first Hertz Professorship was filled by Christiane Woopen in the TRA “Individuals & Societies”. Woopen focuses on the topic of “life and conditions for its development” at the Center for Life Ethics. The Clausius Professorship was also awarded to Jun.-Prof. Dr. Lena Funcke at the TRA “Matter”, where Funcke and her team develop new models in particle physics.

Research and interdisciplinary approaches

The Argelander tenure-track professorships significantly expand the research profile of the TRAs. This includes Elena Reckzeh, who uses organoids for drug research, while Ana Ivonne Vazquez-Armendariz researches lung diseases with organoids. In addition, Jun.-Prof. Dr. Wolfram Barfuss in the TRA “Sustainable Futures” on mathematical models of collective learning.

The university has also established Schlegel professorships that develop thematic links to the TRAs. Matin Qaim, the Schlegel Professor of Economic and Technological Change, heads the Center for Development Research (ZEF) and conducts intensive research on world nutrition and sustainable agriculture. Klaus von Stosch, on the other hand, is a Schlegel professor of comparative theology with a focus on Islam. Distinguished Professors Emeriti also support the internationalization of research.

The international members include Prof. Dr. Huw Price in the TRA “Individuals & Societies” and Prof. Dr. Ann R. David in the Cluster of Excellence Bonn Center for Dependency and Slavery Studies. This networking is part of the strategy of the University of Bonn, which has established itself as one of eleven universities of excellence in Germany.

Award-winning projects in the field of life sciences

In addition to the TRAs, the University of Bonn is also recognized for its innovative projects in the field of life sciences. Three such projects were recently awarded 50,000 euros each, aiming to improve health and develop new therapeutic approaches. An external panel of experts reviewed the proposals, and up to three scientists from biology, pharmacy, medicine and mathematics are involved in each project.

• Künstliche Intelligenz entschlüsselt Lymphknoten: Ziel ist die Untersuchung der zellulären Organisation in menschlichen Hals-Lymphknoten. Beteiligte sind Prof. Dr. Andreas Schlitzer (Biologie), Dr. Thorsten Send (Medizin) und Prof. Dr. Jan Hasenauer (Mathematik).
• Antiepileptika mit Lichtschalter: Hierbei handelt es sich um die Entwicklung von photoaktivierbaren Wirkstoffen zur Behandlung von Epilepsie. Prof. Dr. Christa Müller (Pharmazie) und Dr. Michael Wenzel (Neurologie) arbeiten an diesem Ansatz.
• Fett in einer Petrischale: Ziel ist die Untersuchung der Organisation und Interaktion von Zelltypen im weißen Fettgewebe, geleitet von Prof. Dr. Dagmar Wachten und Prof. Dr. Elvira Mass (Biologie).

The transdisciplinary research area “Life and Health” plays a central role in researching complex life mechanisms and developing new therapies, which further underpins the strategy of the University of Bonn.

The Excellence Strategy, which has existed since 2016, aims to support top research at German universities and increase their international visibility. It promotes academic excellence and strengthens university profiles integrated into a competition system that focuses on the collaboration of scientists and the training of young talent. Like that Federal Ministry of Education and Research explains, this strategy builds on the previous Excellence Initiative and is supported by annual funding of 687 million euros.