FMI science

2026 has just begun and we are looking forward to welcoming you to EMBL for another year of groundbreaking science.

Our programme now features even more events, check it out ➡️ s.embl.org/2026-poster

From discovery to decision: how can we bridge research and policy for a thriving world?
Join the discussion on Wednesday at our conference on #OneHealth
👉 link.europa.eu/K4YCvc

Just a reminder that we have a new newsletter (and there's some fun stuff coming out tomorrow)! #PrideinSTEM 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️📧

You can sign up here:

prideinstem.org/newsletter

Would anyone out there be able to share some Mus Spretus DNA with us? 🐀🧬 Any tissue of origin, for PCR amplification of selected genomic regions. Many thanks in advance!

🧐 Did you know that grant experts from EU-LIFE institutes, ERC grantees & former panel members come together each year to support ERC applicants?

This community effort is at the heart of the EU-LIFE ERC Masterclass. Find out more in our new factsheet!! ➡️ eu-life.eu/sites/defaul...

FMI Year in Review 2025 Our annual brochure highlighting the FMI’s key scientific publications, major events, and facts & figures from the past year is now available. Discover the highlights of 2025, a year that marked the F...

Our annual brochure “Year in Review” is out now! It highlights the FMI’s key scientific publications, major events, and facts & figures from 2025, a year that marked our 55th anniversary.
www.fmi.ch/news-events/...

Different tissue, different questions, same fascination with how cells coordinate to build and rebuild complex organs.
Excited to uncover what drives this remarkable regeneration🙂 @fmiscience.bsky.social | @P.T. Engelhorn Foundation for the Promotion of Biotechnology and Life Sciences

Who should win the next #MarcelBenoist Swiss Science Prize? 🏆

Submit your nominations for researchers in the #LifeSciences (biology and medicine) now. 🧫 🌱 🫀

➡️ sohub.io/xhf3

📷 Franca Pedrazzetti

New Year, new series of talks 🎉.
Monthly seminars at the intersection of metabolism, cell bio & dev bio.
Join us next week 👇
Apply to give a talk in this series : docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

Marta Miączyńska, Chair of EU-LIFE and Director of the International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Warsaw (IIMCB) Anders H. Lund, Co-Chair of EU-LIFE and Director of the Biotech Research & Innovation Centre (BRIC) at the University of Copenhagen

📣 We are delighted to announce that Marta Miączyńska, Director @iimcb.bsky.social, and Anders H. Lund, Director @bric-ucph.bsky.social, have been appointed the new Chair and Co-Chair of EU-LIFE, as of 1 January 2026.

🔗 Full press release: eu-life.eu/newsroom/new...

Congrats to all the grant recipients!
Extra happy for Burak and Dennis from my lab.
And in this context: we’re hiring—open postdoc positions in the lab. Feel free to reach out if you’re interested.

Announcing recipients of early-career fellowships and grants In 2025, early-career researchers at the FMI secured highly competitive fellowships and grants, including postdoctoral fellowships from the European Molecular Biology Organization and the Human Fronti...

In 2025, early-career researchers at the FMI secured highly competitive fellowships and grants, including postdoctoral fellowships from @embo.org and @hfspo.bsky.social, which support outstanding research. Read more about the winning projects here 👇 www.fmi.ch/news-events/...

Re-exposure to reward re-evaluates related memories To adapt behavior in changing environments, animals must continuously re-evaluate previously learned associations. This flexibility of memory systems …

Carolin Warnecke together with Hanna, Dennis, Bene & Kerstin from my lab show that re-exposure to reward diminishes multiple associated olfactory memories.

We’re hiring 2 postdocs—DM/email me for details. #Postdoc #Hiring

www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

📢 Please help spread the word: We’re hiring a Head of Student & Postdoc Affairs to coordinate our international PhD program, provide guidance & career counseling, lead training programs, collaborate on EDI initiatives, and manage alumni relations. Apply at www.fmi.ch/education-ca...

Season’s Greetings from the FMI! 🎄
Thank you to our researchers, staff, alumni, friends, and partners for an inspiring 2025. Wishing you happy holidays and a 2026 full of joy and exciting discoveries! 💫

Earlier this month, we welcomed 8th-grade students from Privatschule BZB. From learning how viruses replicate and how they’re visualized by electron microscopy to practicing cryo-EM sample prep and operating microscopes, our young visitors enjoyed a day of science in action!🔬

I’m very grateful to the FMI, the tenure committee, inspiring colleagues, and all the hidden supporters who made this possible. Huge thanks to past and present group members for their curiosity and creativity. Excited for the next chapter.

The Friedrich Miescher Award, which we sponsor, recognizes outstanding research—congratulations to Prof. Omaya Dudin for his innovative work on the origins of multicellular life 🏅🏆 @dudinlab.bsky.social

YouTube video by The Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research Deciphering life’s hidden instructions

At the FMI, Antoine Peters and his team study how information beyond the DNA sequence guides early development and how errors can block gene activity, potentially causing infertility. To learn more, watch the video below or read our story: www.fmi.ch/news-events/... youtu.be/aDQXmxEJgIg

YouTube video by The Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research How AI can help reveal the workings of the brain

Huge congratulations to @fzenke.bsky.social on his promotion to Senior Group Leader! His team uses AI-powered models of neural networks to uncover how dynamic brain connections enable new memories. Learn more about his research in this video👇 www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xDu...

How basic neuroscience has paved the path to new drugs A growing list of medications—such as zuranolone for postpartum depression, suzetrigine for pain, and the gepants class of migraine medicines—exist because of insights from basic research.

A growing list of medications—such as zuranolone for postpartum depression, suzetrigine for pain, and the gepants class of migraine medicines—exist because of insights from basic research, writes @alexkwan.bsky.social.

www.thetransmitter.org/drug-develop...

#neuroskyence

Proud to have our Nicolas Favre spotlighted by @eu-life.bsky.social ✨

Method of the Year 2025: electron microscopy-based connectomics - Nature Methods A large network of interconnected neurons serves as the basis of brain function and of behavior. Methodological advances have enabled the reconstruction of large-scale and even whole-brain connectomes...

Proud to see EM-based connectomics—which uses electron microscopy to map neural circuits in 3D—named @natmethods.nature.com’ Method of the Year, and even prouder that our group leader Rainer Friedrich leads one of the pioneering labs in this breakthrough 🧠 www.nature.com/articles/s41...

From the traditional director’s speech to a fun winter-themed photobooth, plus unforgettable cakes and meme competitions… the FMI year-end party was such a vibe, as usual ✨

Today is #Nobel Day! 🏅

Watch the festive ceremony with speeches - a true celebration of blue sky discovery and scientific curiosity!
🎥 m.youtube.com/watch?v=FPSK...

Philippe Aghion, funded by EU via the ERC, is among the 2025 laureates!
erc.europa.eu/news-events/...
🇪🇺
Congratulations to all!

Join us for the second seminar in the online Metabolism in Development and Physiology series next Thursday.

Two exciting talks lined up from different career stages.

Please repost - position of Head of Student & Postdoc Affairs available at our Institute in the heart of Europe (Basel, Switzerland) 👇

Margherita Turco wins 1M grant to study how nutrients support placental health FMI group leader Margherita Turco has been awarded more than 1 million USD from the Gates Foundation to explore how micronutrients such as folate and iron could prevent life-threatening complications ...

FMI group leader Margherita Turco has been awarded more than 1 million USD from the @gatesfoundation.bsky.social to explore how micronutrients such as folate and iron could prevent life-threatening complications caused by a malfunctioning placenta. www.fmi.ch/news-events/...

Job opening for one of the most important positions at our institute.

📢 Please help spread the word: We’re hiring a Head of Student & Postdoc Affairs to coordinate our international PhD program, provide guidance & career counseling, lead training programs, collaborate on EDI initiatives, and manage alumni relations. Apply at www.fmi.ch/education-ca...