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Bacterial nanosized speargun works like a power drill

Millions of tiny microbes on leaves, stones or our skin jostle for space. And almost everywhere they have to compete for resources and nutrients. In the course of evolution, some bacteria have therefore developed a weapon to…


SNSF Advanced Grant for Peter Scheiffele

In response to last year’s call for SNSF Advanced Grants 232 researchers submitted applications. 24 of these projects were awarded the Swiss National Science Foundation grant, totaling 50 million Swiss francs in funding.…


Biozentrum start-up NextImmune supported by Venture Kick

The company NextImmune , founded at the Biozentrum of the University of Basel in 2021, focuses on the development of selective immunosuppressive therapy. This novel class of drugs specifically suppresses the immune system…


A protein that extends life of yeast cells

For about one hundred years it has been known that nutrient restriction and moderate stress can significantly prolong life. The researchers led by Prof. Mihaela Zavolan and Prof. Anne Spang, both at the Biozentrum of the…


Cell’s recycling surprisingly efficient

Cells live and survive by taking up proteins, recycling and reusing or degrading them. The proteins are located on the cell surface and are transported from here into the cell’s interior. About 80 percent of these membrane…


Synapses of the reward system at stake in autistic disorders

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…


How does Parkinson's disease develop? Study raises doubts on a previous theory of Parkinson’s disease

The arms and legs tremble incessantly, the muscles become weaker and the movements slower − these are typical symptoms that many Parkinson's patients suffer from. More than six million people are affected worldwide. In these…


How to track and trace a protein: Nanosensors monitor intracellular deliveries

Membrane proteins are a basic component of each individual cell of the human body and play a vital role in the cell’s structure, metabolism and transport. They ensure that many substances, such as hormones and other…


Enigma of fatty acid metabolism solved: Enzyme shape controls its activity

Fats are highly diverse molecules that serve as fuel and energy storage, and they constitute the building blocks for cell membranes, hormones and messengers. Despite the diversity of fats, all the fatty acids contained…


EMBO Membership for Alex Schier

As EMBO announced on May 14, 2018, Prof. Alex Schier is now a newly elected EMBO member. Including Alex Schier a total of 26 scientists have been recognized for their achievements with an EMBO Membership since the foundation…