In all mammals, the reward system is a fundamental brain circuit that reinforces certain behaviours by providing the motivation necessary for their achievement. Search for food, learning or emotional behaviours are for…

Cells proliferate by dividing repeatedly. Each cell division produces two daughter cells, which must first grow to a certain size before they can divide, too. This requires an increased production of cell components,…

An increasing number of bacterial pathogens are resistant to antibiotics. And the most dangerous pathogens share a common feature: a double membrane that is difficult to penetrate. Even when antibiotic agents are able to…

In nature, bacteria usually live in communities. They collectively colonize our gut, also known as the gut microbiome, or form biofilms such as dental plaque. Living in communities provides many advantages to the individual…

The unusual enzyme HDCR produces formic acid from gaseous hydrogen (H2) and carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), thus removing CO 2 from the environment and storing it in the cell. In this process, HDCR transfers electrons from hydrogen…

The abundance and diversity of viruses on our planet is unimaginable. It is estimated that there are about a trillion virus particles on each grain of sand. Many viruses are still waiting to be discovered. The majority of…

Cell death is crucial for all organisms. Damaged cells or cells infected with viruses or bacteria eliminate themselves by starting a built-in “suicide” program, which prevents the development of tumors and the spread of…

The team led by Alex Schier, Director of the Biozentrum, University of Basel, and Professor at Harvard University, showed in publications in Science and Nature Biotechnology how single embryonic cells develop into a heart,…

Torsten Schwede has been appointed the new Vice President for Research at the University of Basel. The University Council has approved this election. Schwede studied chemistry in Bayreuth and completed his PhD in structural…

Endurance training is beneficial. Regular workouts not only improve physical fitness and well-being, but also trigger profound muscle remodeling. This is reflected in typical training effects: muscles fatigue less quickly,…