CeMESS

Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science

CeMESS/Maximilian Prag

Expanding Knowledge

The Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science | CeMESS at the University of Vienna brings together rapidly advancing research fields of high societal relevance. Our Centre unites four Research Divisions spanning microbiology, bioinformatics, ecology, and environmental geoscience.

This multidisciplinary strength enables us to investigate, in a comprehensive way, the biotic and abiotic processes that shape our bodies, ecosystems, and the entire planet. Our research delivers key insights to help address some of today’s most pressing global challenges, from human to planetary health.

More about us

CeMESS News

New Video Available: How scientists at the University of Vienna reveal the power of desert soil microbes

17.06.2026 DOME

Evolutionary processes shape bacterial populations in the human gut

06.05.2026 DOME

In addition to diet and medication, transmission between people can also play an important role in the microbiome

This was the Long Night of Research 2026 at CeMESS

05.05.2026 CeMESS

More than 12,000 people attended the University of Vienna’s venues during this year’s Long Night of Research. At the Vienna BioCenter, 1,500 visitors…

New Study: Methane is present in surface waters of Mondsee and Attersee – why is it there and why should we care?

30.04.2026 DOME

A new study from the research group of Barbara Bayer at DOME | CeMESS discovered that the two Austrian lakes Mondsee and Attersee are a source of…

New Publication in Nature Communications Earth & Environment finds higher additive leaching and ecotoxicity from retreaded tire particles

28.04.2026 EDGE

Retreaded tires are a major part of the commercial tire market and a key source of wear particles, yet their environmental risks remain…

Amazon understory forests show short-term boost in CO₂ uptake – but this comes at a cost

28.04.2026 TER

Experimental increases in CO2 stimulated plant growth are facilitated by re-distributed root systems to extract nutrient resources more efficiently

CeMESS in the Media

Microbiomes Drive Planetary Health

The FWF-funded Cluster of Excellence (CoE) brings together the expertise of CeMESS researchers from all four CeMESS divisions in a joint, ambitious research project.

Learn more

CeMESS Events

Fungal Community and Ecological Drivers of Forest Tree Productivity

18.06.2026 EDGE Lecture Series

Mark Anthony

The microbiota in cancer progression and treatment

21.05.2026 CeMESS Lecture Series

Maria Rescigno

Photochemistry and the Aquatic Sulfur Cycle

23.04.2026 EDGE Lecture Series

Kris McNeill

Recent Publications

Hodzic A, Cizek V, Kunert M. Gut immune and redox transcriptional responses to Borrelia infection in questing Ixodes ricinus. Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases. 2026 Jul;17(4):1-6. 102668. doi: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2026.102668

Allagui W, Brahim N, Allani M, Zougari B, Ibrahim H, Bol R et al. Oasis management and topography interactively shape soil inorganic carbon dynamics in hyper-arid soils. Geoderma. 2026 Jul;471:1-12. 117865. doi: 10.1016/j.geoderma.2026.117865

Dolschak K, Winter Artusio E, Mayer M, Grabner M, Tatzber M, Ahmed IU et al. Climate drivers of historic tree growth in the Vienna Woods and prediction of future performance of eight selected tree species. Forest Ecology and Management. 2026 Jun 15;610:123674. doi: 10.1016/j.foreco.2026.123674

Waschk P, Spiegel P, Gessler A, Saurer M, Bock BM, Hinterdobler W et al. Evidence for resource transfer via common endophyte networks. Scientific Reports. 2026 Jun 8. doi: 10.1038/s41598-026-56653-9

Yaffar D, Fuchslueger L. Understanding Root Exudate Strategies for Plant Phosphorus Acquisition. Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences. 2026 Jun 4;131(6):1-6. e2026JG009969. doi: 10.1029/2026JG009969

All publications