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.

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CeMESS News

New paper: New study traces the evolution of microbial sulfur oxidation metabolism through Earth’s oxygenation history

28.07.2026 DOME

How did microbes adapt as Earth transformed from an oxygen-free world into the oxygen-rich planet we know today? A new study with contributions from…

New paper: Antarctic bacterium yields previously unknown iron-scavenging molecules

22.07.2026 DOME

A bacterium isolated from Antarctic soils produces a new group of natural products that help them compete for one of life's most important nutrients:…

New publication in Water Research explores human and environmental drivers of PFAS in European rivers

18.07.2026 EDGE

PFAS are persistent contaminants widely detected in surface waters and are a growing global concern. A new Water Research study, led by the University…

SUNDANSE Open Call: Up to €100,000 for Local and Regional Authorities to Boost Freshwater Health

10.07.2026 EDGE

The EU-funded SUNDANSE project is launching its second Open Call, inviting local and regional authorities from 31 eligible countries to apply for up…

Andreas Richter leads international project “ActiveSOIL - From Active Microbiomes to Soil Health” supported by the Novo Nordisk Foundation

10.07.2026 TER

„ActiveSOIL - From Active Microbiomes to Soil Health“ has received a grant of up to DKK 75 million (approx. 10 Mio €) over six years from the Novo…

DOC Fellowship for Zeynep Kurt

03.07.2026 DOME

Zeynep Kurt, PhD student at CeMESS, has been awarded a DOC Fellowship by the Austrian Academy of Sciences (ÖAW). With this competitive grant, she will…

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.

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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

Li J, Boxall ABA, Swan C, Hoeks S, Lai RWS, Wilkinson JL et al. Pan-continental assessment of socioeconomic and environmental predictors of PFAS occurrence in European rivers from a harmonised monitoring study. Water Research. 2026 Oct 15;305:126481. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2026.126481

Ren XY, Lin XY, Tanabe TS , Loy A, Hu L, Zhu YG et al. Evolutionary trajectory of microbial sulfur oxidation pathways recapitulates Earth's oxygenation history. Nature Communications. 2026 Jul 20. Epub 2026 Jul 20. doi: 10.1038/s41467-026-75310-3

Rymbekova A , Gelabert P , Llanos-Lizcano A, Balakrishnan K, Hämmerle M, Han S et al. Genomic insights into the Iron Age Saka of Boz-Barmak, Kyrgyzstan. Scientific Reports. 2026 Jul 20. Epub 2026 Jul 20. doi: 10.1038/s41598-026-62891-8

Fleischer K, Yu L, Fuchslueger L, Quesada CA, Zaehle S. Simulated CO₂ Fertilization Drives Progressive Phosphorus Limitation via Accelerated Organic Cycling in Amazonian Forests. Global Change Biology. 2026 Jul 20;32(7):1-19. e71000. doi: 10.1111/gcb.71000

Yu XA, Strachan CR, Herbold CW, Lang M, Gasche C, Makristathis A et al. Genome-wide sweeps create ecological units in the human gut microbiome. Nature. 2026 Jul 2;655(8121):202-209. doi: 10.1038/s41586-026-10476-w

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