Universität zu Köln: News

Funding , English

ERC Consolidator Grant for Debora Gerstenberger

Project on the interaction between computers and society in Latin America successfully reviewed and selected for funding, Two million euros funding over five years

Research , English

Animal behaviour: AI can help fill the gap

Researchers from Cologne developed an AI method to recover missing data from animal movement recordings and to efficiently quantify behaviour / publication in “Nature Methods”

Funding , English

Union of Academies funds long-term project to investigate papyri

In a joint project, the Universities of Cologne and Münster are researching ancient Greek papyri stored at the University of California. Funding totalling 4.34 million euros over 15 years as part of the Academies’ Programme

Research , English

Stars defy the black hole: research in Cologne shows stable orbits around Sagittarius A*

New observations made with the ERIS instrument at the Very Large Telescope facility disprove the assumption that the supermassive black hole at the centre of the Milky Way devours nearby dust objects.

Research , English

Possible therapeutic approach to treat diabetic nerve damage discovered

Researchers have decoded the signalling pathway that inhibits nerve regeneration in diabetes and have developed a therapeutic peptide that could transform the treatment—and possibly even the prevention—of diabetic nerve damage.

Funding , English

Follow-up funding for two Collaborative Research Centres at the University of Cologne

The Collaborative Research Centre (CRC) 1310 ‘Predictability in Evolution’ and the CRC/Transregio 228 ‘Future Rural Africa’ will receive funding from the German Research Foundation for a further four years. A total of 16.1 million euros for the University of Cologne

Research , English

Developing the research competence of future teachers

Research-based learning in teacher education shows: motivation drives scientific thinking

Research , English

Artificial intelligence can improve psychiatric diagnosis

A research team has tested how well three large language models can detect overlaps and redundancies in clinical questionnaires on mental illness.

Research , English

A sparkling ‘Diamond Ring’ in space: Astronomers in Cologne unravel the mystery of a cosmic ring

The structure of gas and dust resembles a glowing diamond ring. Computer simulations and observations made on board the 'flying observatory' SOFIA are now able to explain the special shape .

Ranking , English

Six University of Cologne scientists among the most highly cited researchers worldwide

Annual ranking of ‘Highly Cited Researchers’ published as an indicator for outstanding research. University of Cologne represented by two biologists and four medical researchers

Research , English

Optional learning support fosters self-directed learning

A study led by the Institute of Biology Education shows that optional learning support effectively reaches the students who need it most and helps teachers manage varying skill levels in the classroom.

Research , English

Protective Brain Immune Cell State Discovered

Discovery points to a potential new therapeutic pathway for Alzheimer’s disease

Funding , English

ERC Synergy Grant for physicist Michael Lässig and virologist Florian Klein

In a joint project, the two University of Cologne scientists are investigating mutations of viral pathogens in connection with the immune response. The European Research Council awards ERC Synergy Grants to interdisciplinary groups of two to four excellent researchers

Research , English

Long-lived contrails usually form in natural ice clouds

The effect of contrails on the climate has not yet been widely researched. Scientists assume that they predominantly have a warming effect. A study published in the journal Nature Communications provides new evidence that could influence the future planning of climate-adapted flight routes.

Research , English

Improving cloud modelling using algorithmic methods

The German Research Foundation (DFG) will fund a Reinhart Koselleck project at the University of Cologne with 1.25 million euros over five years. The project combines computer science and meteorology to improve cloud modelling and enhance our understanding of climate change

Research , English

Cologne researchers add a new detail to the “nuclear periodic table”

Nuclear chemists and nuclear physicists at the University of Cologne provide experimental proof of a long-suspected atomic decay pathway. The article published in ‘Physical Review’ shows that technetium-98 occasionally decays into molybdenum-98

Research , English

From food to fuel: How leucine enhances mitochondrial energy production

Researchers from the University of Cologne discovered how a specific dietary amino acid increases cellular energy, opening new possibilities for treating metabolic diseases

Research , English

Schon wenige Nervenfasern ermöglichen Austausch zwischen Hirnhälften

Struktur-Funktions-Beziehungen des menschlichen Gehirns

Research , English

Dopamine increases willingness to wait for rewards

L-DOPA, a precursor of the neurotransmitter dopamine, makes humans wait longer for rewards, as new research addresses gaps in earlier studies.

Research , English

The Zebrafish can heal its spinal cord using a sophisticated mechanism

Specialized connective tissue cells regulate inflammation and prevent formation of scar tissue, enabling nerve fibers to regrow in zebrafish following spinal cord injury. The findings could offer a long-term approach for developing therapies in humans as well

Research , English

Brain scan as a BMI oracle for people with mental disorders

A new AI-supported method can effectively predict the future weight gain of certain psychiatric patients. Early health and nutritional interventions can increase the life expectancy and quality of life of this patient group

Research , English

Leptin-sensing brain circuit helps overcome anxiety to meet vital needs

A research team at the University of Cologne and University Hospital Cologne identifies a circuit in the brain that counteracts anxiety and helps to restore balanced behaviour. The result could contribute to developing treatment options for anorexia nervosa, one of the deadliest mental illnesses.

Award , English

Driving test with AI: start-up distinguished by Time Magazine

The Swedish start-up QT-PIE, with the participation of a researcher from the University of Cologne, has developed an AI-based eye tracking system for driver training and driving tests. It was listed in Time Magazine’s best inventions of 2025

Research , English

Researchers identify clues that link mechanism to the most common hereditary neurological disease

A new study shows that disease-causing changes in the MFN2 gene in Charcot-Marie-Tooth syndrome trigger programmed cell death – a potential key to understanding the incurable nerve disease / publication in “Journal of Cell Science”

University , English

The University of Cologne strengthens its commitment to sustainability

The University of Cologne sets out its goals for further embedding sustainability by 2030. A variety of new measures ranging from contributions to sustainable laboratories to collaborative projects with schools on climate change are being launched for researchers, students, the university community, and interested citizens

Study , English

Welcome on Campus: The University of Cologne welcomes over 5,000 first-semester students

The Rector of the University of Cologne, the Vice-Rector for Teaching and Studies, the Mayor of the City of Cologne and the Student’s Union (AStA) will welcome the first-semester students on 13 October in person and via live stream

Research , English

Antibody discovered that blocks almost all known HIV variants in neutralization assays

A Cologne-led research team has discovered the antibody 04_A06, which neutralizes the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in almost all tested variants in vitro and even overcomes typical resistance mechanisms. The discovery potentially opens up new perspectives for the prevention and treatment of HIV infections.

Research , English

A quiet ally: a ubiquitin precursor promotes stress resistance and longevity

In response to cellular stress, the protein CxUb is activated to identify damaged proteins, thereby maintaining cellular health. The discovery could lead to ways to improve the treatment of cancer and neurodegenerative diseases

Research , English

Farmers were already diversifying cereal cultivation in the early Neolithic period

Agricultural innovations made the food supply in the Rhineland more resilient and flexible / Publication in the ‘Journal of Archaeological Science’

Research , English

Hidden cause of inflammation

Excess RNA building blocks destabilize mitochondrial DNA

Research , English

How synapses stick together

Scientists in Cologne offer a molecular perspective on the architecture of a synapse. They have discovered that a protein in the brain forms flexible filaments, thereby acting as an essential building block of inhibitory synapses.

Research , English

An extraordinary Einstein cross reveals hidden dark matter

An Einstein cross is a phenomenon where a distant object appears as multiple images arranged in a cross-like pattern around a foreground galaxy. A fifth image in the newly discovered cross reveals the presence of dark matter

Research , English

Fat cells have a natural defence system against diabetes, liver disease and ageing

A molecular protective mechanism keeps fat cells healthy, protects against metabolic diseases and plays an important role during the ageing process. These findings could contribute to better early detection and treatment in the future

Research , English

Cellular quality control in humans decoded

A research team at the University of Cologne and the Max Delbrück Center in Berlin has deciphered in detail the rules behind an important mechanism of cellular quality control in humans / Publication in ‘Molecular Cell’

Research , English

Wired to Grow: How Small Cell Lung Cancer Hijacks Neuronal Synapses

Researchers reveal that lung cancer cells form direct synapses with neurons to grow and proliferate, opening the door to new therapies that cut the communication lines / publication in ”Nature”

University , English

Free menstrual products for students

In a pilot project launched this year, the university will be providing free menstrual products such as sanitary towels and tampons in dispensers for students. The dispensers have been installed in eight toilets spread across the campus.

Personnel , English

Carien Niessen elected new Vice-Rector for Research at the University of Cologne

The University Election Assembly elected Professor Dr Carien Niessen for the office of Vice-Rector for Research. The cell biologist is particularly committed to promoting excellent research at the university.

Funding , English

Millions in EU funding: Three ERC Starting Grants Awarded to Researchers at the University of Cologne

Three researchers at the University of Cologne have each received one of the most coveted European research grants for early-career researchers / for a total of 4.5 million euros over five years

Research , English

How aging drives neurodegenerative diseases

A University of Cologne research team has identified a direct molecular link between aging and neurodegeneration by investigating how age-related changes in cell signalling contribute to toxic protein aggregation

Research , English

Inhibiting programmed cell death to treat a rare childhood disease

A preclinical study at the University of Cologne could open up new treatment options for STING-associated vasculopathy with onset in infancy (SAVI) and benefit a wide spectrum of other currently therapy-resistant genetic diseases / publication in “Nature”

Funding , English

Deciphering a writing system: Millions in funding for research into indigenous languages

The Volkswagen Foundation is funding a project to analyse an unknown Central American writing system and attempt to assign it to a language / Approximately one million euros in funding over three years

Research , English

Beyond classic stress signalling: how mitochondrial stress softens the cell nucleus and alters cellular identity

A University of Cologne research team has discovered that cells in high-energy-demanding tissues respond to mitochondrial dysfunction in a surprising way. Instead of shutting down, cells adjust their metabolism to produce a particular molecule, which alters the mechanics of the cell nucleus to cope with stress

Research , English

New method developed for mapping protein binding to DNA

A research team at the University of Cologne has developed a method called DynaTag, which can detect the binding of proteins to DNA, even in an individual cell. Interactions of proteins with DNA are crucial for gene expression, which has a major impact on diseases such as cancer / publication in ‘Nature Communications’

Research , English

Predicting kidney disease trajectories with a simple blood test

A University of Cologne research team has developed a novel approach to predict how fast kidney disease is likely to progress, using just blood samples. They discovered 29 proteins that are linked to how quickly kidney function declines each year.

Funding , English

What humans have learned from other animals: grant for research on interspecies exchange

The Volkswagen Foundation is funding ZOOGESTURES, a new project which investigates learning and technical inventions across species in early human history / 1.3 million euros over four years