About Us

The Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science (CeMESS) at the University of Vienna combines rapidly developing research areas of high societal relevance. Our Centre consists of four Research Divisions spanning microbiology, bioinformatics, ecology and environmental systems science.

This multidisciplinary approach empowers us to comprehensively investigate those critical biotic and abiotic processes that shape our bodies, ecosystems, and our planet at large. Our research provides critical insights that address pressing global challenges, from human to environmental health.

CeMESS Divisions

 News from our Centre


DOME
 

Many intracellular bacteria rely on an extracellular stage to move between hosts – but what happens when that’s no longer needed? A new study, now...

EDGE
 

Human activities are driving rapid environmental change on a global scale, with pollutants playing a critical role in pushing planetary systems beyond...

TER
 

Soil ecosystems form the foundation of planetary health and play a critical role in climate feedback mechanisms. However, they are also vulnerable to...

DOME
 

We’re thrilled to announce that Megan Sørensen has been awarded a prestigious FWF-ASTRA grant to investigate at CeMESS how microbial partnerships have...

DOME
 

CeMESS Assoc Prof. Dagmar Woebken has secured a highly competitive ERC Advanced Grant for her project 'Windows of microbial activity in deserts...

DOME
 

CeMESS is excited to announce the appointment of Katharina Kitzinger as a new Assistant Professor (Tenure Track). Her research focuses on linking the...

 Upcoming Events


12.06.2025 16:00
 

Philipp Mayer

DTU

Eberhard Clar Saal (2B204), UZA II

26.06.2025 16:00
 

Anke Neumann

Paul Scherrer Institute

Eberhard Clar Saal (2B204), UZA II

 Recent Publications


Global Water Microbiome Consortium, Zhu C, Wu L, Ning D, Tian R, Gao S et al. Global diversity and distribution of antibiotic resistance genes in human wastewater treatment systems. Nature Communications. 2025 Dec;16(1):4006. doi: 10.1038/s41467-025-59019-3

Selak L, Meier DV, Marinović M, Čačković A, Kajan K, Pjevac P et al. Salinization alters microbial methane cycling in freshwater sediments. Environmental Microbiome. 2025 Jun 17;20(1):73. doi: 10.1186/s40793-025-00739-w