Press Releases
March 10, 2013
Mutated gene causes nerve cell death
Researchers identify new mechanism in the onset of incurable nerve disease
Stephen Hawking, a British astrophysicist, is likely to be the world's most famous person living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. ALS is a progressive disease affecting motor neurons, nerve cells that control muscle function, and nearly always leads to death. Researchers at the Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA) in Vienna have now identified a completely new mechanism in the onset of motor neuron diseases. Their findings could be the basis for future treatments for these presently incurable diseases.
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December 11, 2012
Jürgen Knoblich receives Erwin Schrödinger Prize 2012
The molecular biologist is awarded for his outstanding work in the field of stem cell research
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October 22, 2012
Breast cancer advance wins IMBA $7.4m US award
A new approach to possible future prevention of breast cancer and slowing the spread of tumours has won Austrian researcher Josef Penninger, director...
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July 24, 2012
How malnutrition leads to inflamed intestines
Researchers at the Institute of Molecular Biotechnology in Vienna, Austria, have uncovered how malnutrition, affecting millions of people, leads to diarrhoea, inflamed intestines and immune system disorders. This surprising result explains food effects that have been known for centuries and provides a molecular link between malnutrition and the bacteria which live in our intestines. The results will be published on 26 July 2012 in the journal Nature.
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June 20, 2012
New play by Carl Djerassi at the Campus Vienna Biocenter
Vienna, 19 June 2012 Carl Djerassi, inventor of the pill and the author of numerous novels and plays, has chosen the Campus Vienna Biocenter (VBC) as the third performance venue for his new work 'Insufficiency' . The play will be presented by the VBC Amateur Dramatic Club; the actors are all scientists working on the campus. 'Insufficiency' joins Djerassi's other works in the genres he created: 'science-in-fiction' and 'science-in-theater', in which he brings scientific issues and everyday problems faced by researchers to the stage, making them accessible to non-scientists.
June 01, 2012
Self-learning computer program analyzes cell division process
Daniel Gerlich, a biologist at the IMBA – Institute of Molecular Biotechnology, has developed a new, fully-automated method that allows microscopic images to be analyzed and evaluated without human support. This new technology was introduced in "Nature Methods", a scientific journal.
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April 27, 2012
Parkinson's disease: causal research leads to new therapies
The Institute of Molecular Biotechnology and the Center for Biomedicine at the European Academy in Bolzano present a joint research project.
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March 06, 2012
Micro-RNAs fight high cholesterol
For the first time, scientists are now able to examine the functions of microRNAs in adult mammals. This breakthrough has been made possible by a new method invented by Stefan Ameres of the IMBA – Institute for Molecular Biotechnology. The method is now being used to develop a treatment for high blood cholesterol.
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February 18, 2012
Josef Penninger announced AAAS Fellow
Scientific Director Josef Penninger has been named a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).
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December 01, 2011
How the bioweapon ricin kills - scientists solve mystery through revolutionary new technology
A key protein that controls how the deadly plant poison and bioweapon ricin kills, has finally been identified by researchers at the Institute of Molecular Biotechnology in Vienna, Austria. The discovery was made using a revolutionary technology that combines stem cell biology and modern screening methods, and reported today (Friday 2 December 2011) in the scientific journal Cell Stem Cell.
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October 20, 2011
Why is man smarter than the mouse?
Stem cells in the human brain produce far more nerve cells than corresponding cells in mice. Jürgen Knoblich, a researcher at the Vienna Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA) found out what mechanisms are responsible, and why the orientation of the cells plays a role.
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August 19, 2011
A hippo in the head
Stem cells gone rampant cause brain tumors
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March 03, 2011
The weaponry of salmonellae
Bacteria like salmonellae infect their host cells by needle-shaped extensions which they create in large numbers during an attack.
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February 12, 2011
Cellular watchdog sniffs out cancer
IMBA researchers explore relationship between cellularstress and carcinogenesis.
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December 03, 2010
Honorary Doctorate for Carl Djerassi
Carl Djerassi received an honorary doctorate from the Technical University of Graz, Austria.
November 21, 2010
“Genetics & Art - A Symbiosis”
The University of Applied Arts in Vienna and the Institute of Molecular Biotechnology (IMBA) realize a joint project.
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November 12, 2010
Pain gene found in flies, mice and people may have links to creativity
A newly discovered gene which helps to control the sense of pain is linked to synaesthesia, when sensations such as touch also affect other senses...
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November 09, 2010
Nol9 is a novel polynucleotide 5'-kinase involved in ribosomal RNA processing
Ribosomes are large ribonucleoproteins that translate the genetic information from RNA into protein. Therefore, protein production is fully dependent...
September 30, 2010
Researchers find how HRT and the Pill can lead to breast cancer and suggest possible treatment
Medical scientists have uncovered how hormone replacement therapy and contraceptive pills can lead to breast cancer, according to research published online by Nature today (Wednesday 29 September, 2010). The findings raise the hope that hormone induced breast cancer may be prevented in future using a new treatment for the bone-loss disease osteoporosis.
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September 03, 2010
An in vivo RNAi assay identifies major genetic and cellular requirements for primary piRNA biogenesis in Drosophila
Transposons are mobile genetic elements that threaten the genome’s integrity of nearly every organism due to their mutagenic character. In the animal...
September 03, 2010
Role of the RNA/DNA kinase Grc3 in transcription termination by RNA polymerase I
Transcription termination is crucial for the release of RNA polymerases from their transcripts. Defective termination can lead to interference with...
July 07, 2010
Beatrix Karl, Minister of Science and Research visited IMBA
Dr. Beatrix Karl, Austrian Minister of Science and Research visited IMBA on Thursday, July 8th. Scientific Director Josef Penninger who hosted the visit guided Beatrix Karl through the Institute and presented a selection of IMBA’s latest research projects.
June 30, 2010
ERC Starting Grant for Julius Brennecke
IMBA Group Leader Julius Brennecke has been awarded one of the prestigious “Starting Independent Researcher Grants“ by the European Research Council ERC.
June 13, 2010
Julius Brennecke awarded START Prize
Brennecke is one of six young scientists who have been accepted into the prestigious START Program of the Austrian government this year.
May 16, 2010
Jürgen Knoblich appointed corresponding member of the Austrian Academy of Sciences
In its annual election meeting on April 23, 2010, the Austrian Academy of Sciences has appointed its new members, associated members, honorary members...
April 27, 2010
Moving is living
Researchers in Vienna describe how cells move
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April 24, 2010
Electron tomography reveals unbranched networks of actin filaments in lamellipodia
Cells migrate using the polymerization of actin filaments arranged in a network to push the membrane at their front edge, forming thin sheets of...
April 04, 2010
A global in vivo Drosophila RNAi screen identifies NOT3 as a conserved regulator of heart function
The human genome project was a major advance allowing for molecular foot hold towards an understanding of human diseases. The real question now is...
February 10, 2010
Flying to the heart of the matter
The first systematic map of heart failure identifies hundreds of genes that regulate heart function.
January 07, 2010
Weight is a prickly problem
A key role for hedgehog signalling in controlling fat
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November 25, 2009
A RANK insider resolving the enigma of the fever chart
The mammalian system for controlling bone remodelling also regulates fever
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October 16, 2009
IMBA Scientist Jürgen Knoblich receives Wittgenstein Award 2009
The molecular biologist is honored for his groundbreaking findings in the field of stem cell biology.
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April 14, 2009
Clarification of all genetic functions comes within reach
Using a new method which will allow more systematic investigation of diseases in future, the IMBA stem cell researcher Jürgen Knoblich has for the first time succeeded in analysing gene functions simultaneously across the entire genome of an organism.
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January 15, 2009
DREAM: one gene regulates pain, learning and memory
The DREAM-gene which is crucial in regulating pain perception seems to also influence learning and memory.
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October 07, 2008
Solving the Puzzle of Stem Cell Divison
The central question of developmental biology is how a single fertilized egg can divide repeatedly to produce multiple different cell types.
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April 18, 2008
New Strategies against bird flu
Austrian scientists identify the common mechanism underlying acute respiratory disease syndrome ARDS.
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November 01, 2007
Breakdown in the Power Plant of the Cell
A research team led by Josef Penninger examined the molecular processes that take place in the development of Type 2 diabetes. The findings turned previous beliefs of cause-and-effect upside down. The magazine Cell devoted its cover page to the topic.
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March 07, 2007
Descartes Prize for Josef Penninger’s Research
EU Honours International Project on Cell Death
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July 27, 2006
Electricity to heal wounds
Researchers in Austria, Scotland, US and Japan have made an exciting breakthrough in showing that electricity has a major impact on the healing of wounds.
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June 02, 2006
Nanostructures of the Infective Apparatus of Salmonella
In Salmonella, structural changes to the molecular infection apparatus also signal an end to its further assembly.
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May 24, 2006
Opening of the ÖAW Life Sciences Center Vienna
The Life Sciences Center Vienna of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (ÖAW) on the Campus Vienna Biocenter was opened on May 23rd with due ceremony. The...
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March 29, 2006
Study shows drug blocks breast cancer migration to bone
Therapy could help prevent metastasis
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March 23, 2006
The Brat that Causes Cancer
Groundbreaking research on tumor stem cells hints at a detailed understanding of cancerous growth – and perhaps at possibilities for therapy.
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July 11, 2005
The killer behind SARS and Avian flu
Researchers found key to treat acute lung failure.
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July 06, 2005
Why flies have sex
Or, one gene is enough to make things happen.
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