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…

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 building in numbers Height of construction 73 meters Height of Entrance Hall 13 meters Usable floor area 23’400 m 2 Volume 238’000 m 3 : 60 % above ground / 40 % below ground Rooms Laboratories 40 individually designed…

International Day of Women and Girls in Science February 11th is the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. This day was declared by the UN in 2015 in order to achieve full and equal access to and participation in…

Ribosomes produce all the body’s proteins and are therefore also referred to as "protein factories". Their architecture and function have largely remained unchanged over millions of years, highlighting their importance for…

The ability to turn experiences into memories allows us to learn from the past and use what we learned as a model to respond appropriately to new situations. For this reason, as the world around us changes, this memory model…

Teaching and Courses Trainings and Workshops ELN-Wiki Introduction Process We accompany and support laboratories interested in starting to use ELN-Wiki on the way to the adoption of this new tool. A number of initial steps…

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…

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,…

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…