We are honouring the FeDIOSci Award for the first time this year.
This funding supports innovative project ideas from young scientists at the interface of bone and the immune system at the Erlangen, Dresden, Ulm and Dortmund sites.
It is an opportunity for young scientists to receive financial support to work on an innovative project idea within osteoimmunology. In this way, preliminary data can be obtained that will ideally lead to an own project within the framework of the second funding period of DIONE.
We are looking for project approaches that ideally lead to an expansion of DIONE’s research activities in terms of content, that dare to think outside the box, have future potential and are translationally orientated. This year, one to two ideas will be supported with a one-off grant totalling 8,000 euros for material resources or support for personnel costs.
Applications are open to doctoral candidates and postdoctoral researchers who are employed at one of the universities or research institutions participating in DIONE, whose doctorate is expected to be completed in 2026 or whose doctorate was completed no more than 6 years ago at the time of the call for applications. In accordance with the DFG guidelines for early career researchers, parental leave of two years per child will be taken into account.
Take the opportunity and apply for your own mini-project.
Submit your project idea here
Application deadline: Mai, 15th 2025
If you need further information, please do not hesitate to contact the DIONE branch office
DIONE is Here: Unlocking the Future of Bone Health!
Have you ever wondered how inflammation affects more than just swelling or pain? Introducing DIONE—a groundbreaking research consortium that’s changing how we understand the connection between inflammation and bone health.
What is DIONE?
DIONE, or Transregio (TRR) 369, is a cutting-edge research network funded by the German Research Foundation (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) – German Research Foundation). With a team of 30 top scientists spread across 19 subprojects, DIONE brings together expertise from key research hubs at FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg, Technische Universität Dresden, Leibniz-Institut für Analytische Wissenschaften – ISAS – e.V., and Universität Ulm. Together, they are pushing the boundaries of scientific discovery.
So, what does DIONE do?
DIONE’s mission is to explore how inflammation affects bone health, particularly through a field known as osteoimmunology. By studying how the immune system and bone tissue interact, the team aims to uncover the hidden mechanisms that link inflammation to conditions like osteoporosis.
When inflammation strikes, it doesn’t just cause pain—it prompts immune cells to release powerful signals like cytokines. These signals disrupt the delicate balance between cells that build bone (osteoblasts) and those that break it down (osteoclasts). Over time, this can lead to serious conditions like bone loss and fractures, particularly in people with chronic inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, periodontitis, and psoriatic arthritis.
Why does DIONE matter?
Osteoporosis is already a global health challenge, affecting over 200 million people worldwide. But what if inflammation is a bigger part of the story than we thought? DIONE is here to fill that knowledge gap by identifying the molecular pathways that drive bone loss in inflammatory diseases.
By collaborating across disciplines—biology, clinical research, and bioinformatics—DIONE is paving the way for new, innovative treatments that could dramatically improve the quality of life for patients dealing with inflammation-driven bone damage.
Join Us on This Journey!
DIONE isn’t just about research—it’s about reshaping the future of bone health. Stay tuned as we dive deeper into the science behind inflammation and bone degeneration, and follow us for updates on how we’re working to make a difference in millions of lives.
TRR369 DIONE Retreat 2024
We are thrilled to share highlights from the first retreat of our consortium, TRR369 DIONE DFG! On June 17th and 18th, our incredible team of researchers gathered to discuss groundbreaking advancements and the future of our research.
Key Highlights:
-
- Engaging presentations on cutting-edge research.
- Collaborative sessions fostering innovation
- Visionary discussions on the future of our field.
This retreat not only strengthened our collective vision but also reinforced our commitment to driving impactful research and innovation to fight against inflammatory bone loss. We are excited about the journey ahead and the transformative potential of our work.
A huge thank you to all participants for their invaluable contributions and enthusiasm.
Stay tuned for more updates and breakthroughs from TRR369 DIONE! 🚀
