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 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.

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CeMESS Events

Finding the Needle in the Haystack – Elemental Mass Spectrometry and Single Particle Techniques Grant Access to Structures at the Nano- and Microscale

11.12.2025 EDGE Lecture Series

David Clases

The Role of Small Organic Acids in Plant Phosphate Acquisition Strategies

27.11.2025 EDGE Lecture Series

Walter Schenkeveld

Stability and dynamics of complex terrestrial and aquatic microbiomes

13.11.2025 CeMESS Lecture Series

Hirokazu Toju

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

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

Lintner M, Polovodova Asteman I, Bernhard JM, Legin A , Schintlmeister A , Cyran N et al. Water soluble fuel compounds impair metabolism in benthic foraminifera: Ecotoxicological observations at cellular level. Science of the Total Environment. 2026 Aug 25;1045:1-10. 181976. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2026.181976

Yao R, Zhang Y, Wanek W, Luo Z, Fu H, Chang SX et al. Synergistic Interactions Between Warming and Elevated Atmospheric CO₂ Increase Soil Organic Carbon Sequestration. Global Change Biology. 2026 Aug 19;32(8):1-14. e71072. doi: 10.1111/gcb.71072

Sun L, Chen J, Qiao Y, Moorhead DL, Wanek W, Ochoa-Hueso R et al. Revisiting ecoenzymatic stoichiometry models for improved understanding of microbial resource limitations. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 2026 Nov;222:1-10. 110280. Epub 2026 Aug 1. doi: 10.1016/j.soilbio.2026.110280

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