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 project analyses effects of organic soil amendments on the subsurface

03.10.2022 EDGE

Organic soil amendments such as compost or biochar can change the dynamics of nutrients and pollutants in the soil: Researchers from EDGE partnered up…

Insights into the world of microbes: CMESS joins European Researchers’ Nights 2022

29.09.2022 CeMESS

CMESS researchers are part of this year’s European Researchers’ Night (ERN) that is taking place on Friday, September 30. From 3pm until midnight…

Thomas Böttcher is a new member of the Leibnitz Senate Committee

26.09.2022 CeMESS

Thomas Böttcher has recently been elected as a member of the Leibniz Association’s “Senate Competition Committee”. He holds a joint professorship for…

In memoriam Roland Albert (27.9.1945 - 11.8.2022)

19.08.2022 CeMESS

We mourn the loss of our highly esteemed colleague, mentor, and friend Roland Albert. A plant physiologist and ecologist, he conducted his research…

Christina Kaiser promoted to Associate Professor

08.08.2022 CeMESS

Christina Kaiser has been promoted to Associate Professor at the University of Vienna. Since 2014, she has been a group leader and Assistant Professor…

Research consortium with CMESS lead in final round for “Cluster of Excellence“ grant

05.07.2022 CeMESS

The pre-proposal for a Cluster of Excellence (CoE) grant on the topic “Microbiomes drive Planetary Health” has qualified for the next round of the…

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

Ecological and Evolutionary Genetics of Bacterial Interactions

07.11.2024 EDGE Lecture Series

Shaul Pollak

Aerobic processes in the anaerobic zone, or anaerobic processes in the aerobic zone?

24.10.2024 CeMESS Lecture Series

Jasmine Berg

Ecology, ecosystem services and evolution of freshwater ammonia oxidizing archaea

17.10.2024 DOME Lecture Series

Michael Pester

Recent Publications

Luo Y, Cardoso MFS, Halfwerk R, Sechi V, Wanek W, Buisman CJN. Distinct and synergistic roles of bacteria, fungi, and extracellular polymeric substances in soil aggregation. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 2026 Nov;222:1-4. 110274. doi: 10.1016/j.soilbio.2026.110274

www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105047516946

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;305:1-15. 126481. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2026.126481

www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105044863056

Eigenschink M, Davogg E, Pristner M, Seki FD, Arzmüller M, Kiss H et al. Maturation-Dependent Constraints in the Ability of Human Monocytes to Initiate Trained Immunity. MedComm. 2026 Oct;7(10):e70939. doi: 10.1002/mco2.70939

www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105052391820

Glasl B , Kitzinger K, Luter HM, Legin A, Schuster S, Salas E et al. Branched-chain amino acid assimilation enables mixotrophy of ammonia-oxidizing archaeal sponge symbionts. Science Advances. 2026 Sept 4;12(36):1-15. eaef9450. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.aef9450

Montoliu-Nerin M, Strunov A, Heyworth E, Schneider DI, Thoma J, Hua-Van A et al. Evolutionary persistence of a highly prevalent multicopy mitochondrial-derived nuclear insertion (Mega-NUMT) in Neotropical Drosophila flies. Molecular Biology and Evolution. 2026 Sept;43(9):1-17. msag227. doi: 10.1093/molbev/msag227

www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105050059292

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