A temporary bacterial infection of the skin can cause long-lasting changes in the immune system and increase allergic inflammation. This is the result of a study led by CeMM and the Medical University of Vienna, recently published in the prestigious journal Science Immunology. The findings uncover a previously unknown connection between the skin, bone marrow and lungs, offering new prospects for thedevelopment of treatment strategies for allergic diseases such as asthma.

Using a mouse model, the research team examined how a localized bacterial skin infection can influence the immune system. Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a common and…

Pulmonary fibrosis is a severe and chronic lung disease that predominantly affects older adults. With no specific treatments currently available, lung transplantation often remains the only option to extend patients’ lives. A research team from CeMM and MedUni Vienna has now uncovered that the aging immune system plays a crucial role in the onset and progression of the disease. Their study, published in the leading journal Science Immunology, lays the groundwork for developing new immune-based therapies.

In their investigation, the team led by Sylvia Knapp and Riem Gawish (Department of Medicine I, MedUni Vienna) demonstrated for the first…

Who are we? Where do we come from? Where do we belong? And where are we going? Walter Pohl started the 14th S.M.A.R.T. Lecture held on 26 March at CeMM with these fundamental questions of historical research, emphasizing why history remains of utmost importance to modern societies, beyond popular preconceptions.

In his engaging lecture, he demonstrated how these questions can be approached through a fascinating combination of classical historical research, archaeology, and genetics—moving beyond the misguided past attempts that were tainted by nationalism and racism. The rapid development of archaeogenetics has opened up spectacular new…

We are delighted to present the CeMM Research Report 2024, centered around “Equations for Life”! 

Behind every biological process and every measurement in the life sciences lies a mathematical equation. These equations help us describe, analyze, and predict—from atomic interactions to complex ecological systems. The cover of this report is the result of a unique team effort: During a CeMM outing in October 2024, our community came together to visualize an essential tool for working with equations effectively—a calculator. This collective creation embodies the collaborative spirit of CeMM.

Science sees the world through equations—expressing…

Congratulations to CeMM PI Georg Winter for becoming the Scientific Director Life Sciences of AITHYRA, the new Research Institute for Biomedical Artificial Intelligence of the Austrian Academy of Sciences. His work in targeted protein degradation is not only advancing fundamental research but also paving the way for practical applications. Together with Michael Bronstein, Scientific Director AI and Anita Ender, Managing Director, the leadership team of AITHYRA is completed. 

Georg Winter has emerged as the best applicant in a highly competitive recruiting process. The international hiring committee was chaired by Maria Leptin.

One of the…

Psoriasis is one of the most common chronic inflammatory skin diseases, affecting around 250,000 people in Austria. While previous treatment approaches have mainly focused on inhibiting pro-inflammatory immune cells, a study led by CeMM Adjunct PI and Professor for Dermatology at the MedUni Vienna Georg Stary shows that it is possible to restore the function of certain anti-inflammatory immune cells in a targeted manner. The results, which have been published in the journal "Immunity" (DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2025.02.11), pave the way for the development of a therapy that not only works more precisely but is also associated with fewer side…

We extend our warmest congratulations to Professors and CeMM Adjunct PI's Georg Stary and Kaan Boztug on the occasion of their inaugural lectures at the Medical University of Vienna. Their remarkable contributions to medical research and their dedication to bridging fundamental science with clinical applications continue to inspire the scientific and medical communities. During the event, CeMM Scientific Director Giulio Superti-Furga and Professor Emeritus Georg Stingl honored their exceptional achievements, recognizing them as true physician-scientists whose work is shaping the future of medicine. 

Kaan Boztug – Professor of Pediatrics and…

The United Nations General Assembly declared 11 February as the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. Every floor, every group, every profession at CeMM is represented by women. Strong individuals. Combined with a passion for science. 

#WomenInScience 

The Francis Crick Institute in London (the Crick, UK) and the Ruđer Bošković Institute in Zagreb (RBI, Croatia) officially joined EU-LIFE in January 2025. This new membership is part of a process of expansion that broadens the representativeness of EU-LIFE and builds on the open and collaborative spirit that drives the alliance. 

EU-LIFE is the alliance of independent research institutes in the life sciences across Europe. The Crick and RBI are leading research performance institutions in their countries and play a significant role in the European research ecosystem, fostering collaborations, innovation and cutting-edge discoveries. By…

CeMM members had a great time at the Vienna Science Ball 2025 - Wiener Ball der Wissenschaften! Congratulations to Oliver Lehmann and the ball organizing team for a successful #SciBall25 and a wonderful 10^th Anniversary!

The Vienna Science Ball is an exceptional opportunity to mingle with our colleagues and friends from the research community, and to celebrate the importance of science. Every professional group, every association organizes its own ball in Vienna. Participating in the SciBall at the Vienna City Hall not only gives a chance to check one of the famous Austrian/Viennese traditions but also helps us to remind everybody of the…