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.
