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

CMESS supports Ukrainian scientists and students

27.02.2022 CeMESS

CMESS expresses its solidarity with Ukraine and endorses the plea of “The Guild of European Research-Intensive Universities”, which calls for support…

Exhibition “Degrees of Life” allows artistic view on microbial life

23.02.2022 CeMESS

From 23 February to 11 March, visitors of the “Degrees of Life” art exhibition have the chance to interact artistically with their microbial…

Jillian Petersen appointed Editor-in-Chief of ISME Journal

15.02.2022 CeMESS

Jillian Petersen, Head of Marine Symbiosis Group at DOME, has been appointed Editor-in-Chief at The ISME Journal. She is now co-responsible for the…

CMESS celebrates four Highly Cited Researchers 2021

17.11.2021 CeMESS

CMESS is home to four of the world's most cited researchers. Holger Daims (DOME), Thomas Rattei (CUBE), Andreas Richter (TER) and Michael Wagner…

New Publication in Science: Rapid evolutionary turnover of mobile genetic elements drives bacterial resistance to phages

22.10.2021 CeMESS

Bacteria are constantly exposed to viral attacks. A research team led by Martin Polz, microbiologist at DOME, has studied how bacteria defend…

Official Opening of the new biology building

13.10.2021 CeMESS

The University of Vienna Biology Building (UBB) officially starts into full operation: The University of Vienna and the Bundesimmobiliengesellschaft…

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

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

Mineral protection of organic carbon in icelandic wetland soils: The role of iron redox cycling

27.06.2024 EDGE Lecture Series

Laurel Thomas Arrigo

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

Mohr MG, Tanabe TS, Grosser M, Dahl C. Biochemistry and transcriptional regulation of bacterial sulfur oxidation. In Advances in Microbial Physiology. Academic Press. 2026. (Advances in Microbial Physiology, Vol. 88). Epub 2026 Jun 24. doi: 10.1016/bs.ampbs.2026.06.003

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

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