The tumor microbiota: A new frontier in cancer biology
Recent research shows that tumors in different organs host microbial communities capable of influencing cancer biology, immune responses, and the effectiveness of therapies, highlighting the need to standardize methods for studying intratumoral microbes. The tumor microbiota — which includes bacteria, fungi, viruses, and other microorganisms present in tumor tissue — is now considered an important component of the tumor microenvironment. An…
Christoph Bock receives EP PerMed grant for personalized treatment in children
CeMM PI Christoph Bock has been awarded funding through the European Partnership for Personalised Medicine (EP PerMed) under the 2025 Joint Transnational Call. His three-year project, titled “PharmocogenOmics for minimized Risk and better Efficacy in Children on high-dose Steroid Treatment (PhORECaST)”, focuses on improving the use of high-dose glucocorticoids, which remain a cornerstone therapy for acute immune-mediated diseases in children but…
CeMM Research Report 2025: Front Row Science
We are excited to present the CeMM Research Report 2025, Front Row Science! For this report, all CeMM members stepped out of their usual environments, the laboratories and the offices, and into society, engaging with the cultural scene. Each research and administrative group visited one of Vienna’s most prominent theaters and performance venues. There, they took the opportunity to discuss their work, the privilege of working in science, as well…
André Rendeiro elected to the Young Academy of the Austrian Academy of Sciences
We warmly congratulate André Rendeiro, Principal Investigator at CeMM, on his election to the Young Academy of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (ÖAW)! Rendeiro’s election to this prestigious body recognizes both his scientific achievements and his growing international visibility. His research at CeMM focuses on spatial and computational biology, with a particular emphasis on understanding complex tissue organization and its role in ageing and…
From pathology image to biological discovery: A journey with LazySlide
Microscopic images of human tissue are a cornerstone of biomedical research and clinical diagnostics. Yet despite their importance, these images often remain difficult to analyze systematically and to connect with other types of biological data. A new study led by CeMM Principal Investigator André Rendeiro and published in Nature Methods (DOI 10.1038/s41592-026-03044-7), introduces “LazySlide”, an open-source software tool that brings the power…
Become a Starting Principal Investigator at CeMM, Vienna (all genders)
We are currently recruiting two exceptionally innovative, creative, ambitious early-career scientists to join CeMM as Starting Principal Investigators within a new research program on pain and aging/healthy lifespan expansion. Join our highly committed CeMM Faculty consisting of 20 research group leaders contributing to the medicine of the future. Are you fascinated by the biology of aging and looking for a place where intellectual rigor and…
Researchers decode cancer’s genetic control panel one DNA letter at a time
Scientists in Davide Seruggia’s group at St. Anna Children’s Cancer Research Institute (St. Anna CCRI) and CeMM, together with collaborators at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, have developed CRISPR-Millipede, a new CRISPR-based method that allows researchers to study regulatory DNA sequences at single-nucleotide resolution. Using this approach, the team uncovered how single mutations in regulatory sequences can help cancer cells evade…
Studying Food Safety Without Animal Testing: FWF Grant for Georg Busslinger
Georg Busslinger, Adjunct Principal Investigator at CeMM, has received a competitive grant from the Austrian Science Fund (FWF) to develop human organoid-based models for studying food-related host responses and food–drug interactions. The project focuses on so-called human gastrointestinal organoids, miniature lab-grown models of the gut made from human cells. These organoids closely mimic the structure and function of the human digestive…
A beautiful mind
It is with deep sorrow that we share the heartbreaking news of the passing of our dear colleague, Martin Watzenböck, who died at the age of 36. Martin was a PhD student at CeMM and MedUni Vienna in the group of Sylvia Knapp and completed his doctorate in 2023. During his time at CeMM and MedUni Vienna, his research focused on immune–microbe interactions in the lung, a topic he approached with both scientific rigor and genuine passion. Following…
Molecular Glues Discovery: Large Scale Instead of Lucky Strike
Many diseases are driven by proteins that are difficult or impossible to inhibit with conventional drugs. Instead of blocking their activity, an emerging therapeutic strategy aims to remove these proteins entirely from the cell by harnessing the cell’s own degradation machinery. In a new study, researchers at CeMM, AITHYRA and the Scripps Research Institute have now developed a systematic method to discover such protein-degrading compounds on a…
Building Better Science: CeMM Women in Science Day Symposium 2026
On 11 February 2026, we hosted the CeMM Women in Science Day Symposium 2026, an inspiring and highly interactive afternoon that brought together scientists and administrative staff from all levels, from PhD students to postdocs and PIs, and of all genders. Participants came together with a shared commitment to strengthening our research culture, engaging in open conversations, and sharing forward-looking ideas. From keynote and impulse talks to…
CeMM community and Alumni network at Vienna Ball of Sciences
CeMM was well represented at the 11th Vienna Ball of Sciences with its current members, and also many former CeMMies. We are grateful to the Alumni Board that used the ball also for a gathering of CeMM Alumnae/Alumni. The Science Ball became a highly regarded tradition in our community. We had fun, we danced, we laughed, we met people we had missed, we made new contacts, we were inspired and forged new plans. Thank you again, Oliver Lehmann,…
Boosting the Cell’s Own Cleanup: New Molecules Accelerate Protein Degradation
Cells have a remarkable housekeeping system: proteins that are no longer needed, defective, or potentially harmful are labeled with a molecular “tag” and dismantled in the cellular recycling machinery. This process, known as the ubiquitin-proteasome system, is crucial for health and survival. Now, an international team of scientists led by CeMM, AITHYRA and the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology in Dortmund has identified a new class of…
Season’s Greetings 2025
As we wrap up another year full of scientific discoveries, successes, and collaboration, we want to thank our colleagues, partners, and friends for your continued support and for being part of our scientific journey. We wish everyone a joyful holiday season and look forward to an exciting new year ahead. Merry Christmas, happy holidays and a happy New Year from all of us at CeMM!
Tick saliva alters immune response of skin cells
New insights into the transmission of the Lyme disease pathogen: A research team led by the Medical University of Vienna and CeMM has gained new insights into how ticks influence the human immune system in order to introduce pathogens. The study shows that the saliva of Ixodes ricinus – the most common tick species in Central Europe – plays a central role in altering the immune response of skin cells, thereby facilitating the transmission of the…
