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

How Gut Bacteria and Acute Stress Are Linked

16.04.2026 DOME

Possible avenue for new strategies related to acute stress responses and stress-related conditions.

New paper: Degradation of a green-fodder-derived sulfosugar by cow rumen bacteria

04.04.2026 DOME

Rumen microbiota are essential for cattle husbandry, providing energy and protein through fermentation. However, this symbiotic process also produces…

Matthias Horn elected Fellow of the European Academy of Microbiology (EAM)

24.03.2026 DOME

DOME | CeMESS professor Matthias Horn has been elected a Fellow of the European Academy of Microbiology. Election to the EAM Fellowship recognises…

22nd ChlamydienWorkshop at the University of Vienna

06.03.2026 DOME

Around 70 researchers from different institutions in ten countries gathered in Vienna for the 22nd ChlamydienWorkshop. The meeting was organized by…

Ancient symbiosis between plants and fungi: Important insights for sustainable agriculture

27.02.2026 TER

Almost all plants live in close symbiosis with so-called mycorrhizal fungi – an important symbiosis for absorbing essential nutrients. In their new…

CeMESS welcomes new Scientific Advisory Board

26.02.2026 CeMESS

The new CeMESS Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) paid its inaugural visit to the Centre. An All Hands Meeting introduced CeMESS, and over two days…

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

Microbial oral-gut translocation in inflammatory and gastro-intestinal diseases

30.06.2025 DOME Lecture Series

Melanie Schirmer

Two Sides of the Redox Story - Contaminant Reduction and Oxidation by Iron-Bearing Clay Minerals

26.06.2025 EDGE Lecture Series

Anke Neumann

Microbial use of carbon and the soil pore network

26.06.2025 CeMESS Lecture Series

Naoise Nonan

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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