Bartonella are bacteria that can cause diverse infectious diseases in man, such as cat-scratch disease. In order to prevent the accumulation of mutations during the infection cycle, pathogens require efficient DNA repair…

Simply grasping a coffee cup needs fine motor coordination with the highest precision. This required performance of the brain is an ability that can also be learned and trained. Prof. Kelly Tan's research group at the…

The new project funded by ASAP brings together researchers from the Biozentrum of the University of Basel and FMI, and the US-based universities Northwestern, Columbia, Berkeley and Stanford. “Each team selected for the…

Biozentrum Highlights 1971 - 2021 1968 − Pioneering concept The potential of molecular biology was recognized early in Switzerland – in the 1960s. Due to the visionary leadership of Arnold Schneider, a member of the Cantonal…

Like human beings, every cell in our body tries to ward off death as long as it can. This is particular true for a specific type of immune cells, called T-lymphocytes, or T cells for short. These cells keep viruses,…

Susan Mango, Professor and Research Group Leader You have been active in research for more than twenty years. Why did you decide to pursue a career in science? I love puzzles! I got into biology because I enjoyed the back…

The scientist passed away at the age of 89 years, on 2 January 2022, in Therwil. With him, the Biozentrum loses an outstanding structural biologist and one of its founding professors. He contributed fundamental insights into…

When pathogens invade our body the immune system is put on alert. The body’s immune cells are recruited to the site of infection and an inflammatory reaction is initiated to rapidly eliminate the invaders. Some pathogens,…

Parkinson’s disease is one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases worldwide. This disease is typically accompanied by motor defects such as the tremor of arms and legs, slowness of movements and muscle rigidity, which…

Walking, breathing, or writing – these movements would not be possible without our muscles. The instructions are given by the nerves that communicate with the muscles through neuromuscular junctions. Damage to or loss of…