Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA)

ISTA graduate Volker Karle receives Outstanding PhD Thesis Award: His work focused on the understanding of quantum rotation, which involves mathematical aspects from the field of topology. This could impact both, fundamental science and concrete future tech innovations.

A beautiful view of something new.

We can’t wait for everyone to experience it. 💚

Stay tuned!

Thrilled to announce the nexy Austrian Cryo-EM Symposium, taking place 11th-12th November at @istaresearch.bsky.social, with speakers inc. @grigoriefflab.bsky.social, @oliveiramann.bsky.social, @bjgreber.bsky.social @svenklumpe.bsky.social @sebastianglatt.bsky.social ‪‬https://tinyurl.com/cryo2025

Bench-Pressing Cells Immune responses rely on the efficient movement of immune cells within the complex and geometrically unpredictable three-dimensional tissues that make up our bodies. Recent research by the Sixt group ...

Immune cells turn into ‘Mini-Hulks’ to push away tissue and make space when migrating. Find out more about the study here: ista.ac.at/en/news/benc...

Part of the authors in the study from the Sixt group. From left to right: Nikola Canigova, Michael Sixt, Patricia Reis-Rodrigues, and Mario J. Avellaneda. © ISTA

New paper by the Sixt group at ISTA shows insights into how immune cells move through the complex environment of our body. The findings were published in Nature Immunology.

Shrinking Large Language Models: ISTA graduate Elias Frantar receives Outstanding PhD Thesis Award for the development of new algorithms and systems that effectively 'shrink' LLMs, making them cheaper and more efficient while maintaining their accuracy and intelligence.
Congratulations!

© American Museum of Natural History

© American Museum of Natural History

ISTA scientist Santiago Torres's work is part of the Hayden Planetarium Space Show "Encounters in the Milky Way" at the @amnh.org​. Narrated by Pedro Pascal, the film takes audiences on an interstellar journey, exploring our solar system's motion through the galaxy.

ISTA graduate Georg Arnold receives Outstanding PhD Thesis Award for developing a 'modem‘ for quantum computers: His electro-optic quantum transducer connects quantum computers via optical fibers, paving the way for large-scale networks.

Johannes Fink and Rishabh Sahu at ISTA © ISTA

“If successful, the present project will allow us to develop a plug-and-play device that does not require any special skills to operate. This would make our technology an attractive option for a possible future spin-off,” says ISTA postdoc Rishabh Sahu, who contributed to the project proposal.

Johannes FINK Jennifer Anais Sanchez Naranjo and Rishabh Sahu in the Fink Lab at ISTA. © ISTA

Now, they want to take this technology from a laboratory prototype to the market.

#QuantumScience #QuantumComputers #QuantumInternet #QuantumYear2025

Earlier this year, researchers from the Fink group achieved a fully optical readout of superconducting qubits. They used an electro-optic transducer to “translate” the electrical signal needed to operate the superconducting qubits into an optical one, and vice versa.

Johannes Fink at ISTA © ISTA

Is a quantum internet with optical fibers within reach?

ISTA Professor @johannesfink.bsky.social ‬was awarded an ERC Proof of Concept grant to advance a key technology for a future optics-based quantum internet.

Read more bit.ly/45ZaOHn

@erc.europa.eu #ERCPoC

📢New preprint
We developed an isotope-labeling scheme which allows probing arginine side chain motion in proteins w solution/MAS #NMR. The method is readily applicable to large proteins (here: a 130 kDa enzyme). @istaresearch.bsky.social & Lichtenecker @univie.ac.at
papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....

ISTA graduate Huihuang Chen receives Outstanding PhD Thesis Award for his research that resolves a longstanding scientific debate: He demonstrated that cAMP, a universal signaling molecule well established in animals, is also functioning as a second messenger in plants. Congratulations!

📸 © Nadine Poncioni | ISTA

NOMIS Foundation is investing €20 M to support research at ISTA—a partnership that focuses on daring science. From 2026 to 2030, projects will be funded that break new ground and therefore have the potential to deliver substantial leaps in our knowledge.

https://bit.ly/3TnF6w0

Dreaming of a PhD in the #lifesciences?
ISTA joins 20 leading European PhD programs at the Doctoral Insights #Symposium!
🎙️ Hear from PIs, PhD students & experts
🌐 100% online & free to attend
🔗 www.doctoralinsights.at
@istaresearch.bsky.social
#docinsights #phdprogram #gradschool #europe

When Black Holes Collide The senior astrophysicist and black hole specialist Zoltan Haiman joins the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA) as its fifth astronomy faculty member. After over two decades at Columbia...

Read more: https 👉 bit.ly/4lc7hu9

@esa.int
@columbiauniversity.bsky.social ‪

#BlackHoles #Astronomy #Astrophysics #GravitationalWaves

Haiman had a strong kick-start in June by securing an ERC Advanced Grant. He was also recently appointed a Complementary Scientist in the LISA (Laser Interferometer Space Antenna) Science Team. This constellation of three satellites led by the European Space Agency is planned for launch in 2035.

Haiman’s expertise will help consolidate one of the young Institute’s most recently established research areas. “I hope to contribute to successfully building up astronomy as one of the exciting research fields in which ISTA will be regarded as a world leader.” – Zoltan Haiman.

When Black Holes Collide

The senior astrophysicist and black hole specialist Zoltan Haiman joins ISTA as its fifth astronomy faculty member after 23 years at Columbia University. He and his group aim to understand the precise mechanism that could lead to black holes colliding and merging.

ISTA grad Joscha Henheik wins Outstanding PhD Thesis Award: His project focused on solving math problems originating from physics, specifically addressing questions arising from complex quantum systems. His research contributes to establishing a mathematical foundation of quantum mechanics.

📸 Gaia Novarino © Peter Rigaud | ISTA 📸 Edouard Hannezo © Anna Stöcher | ISTA

ISTA profs Gaia Novarino and @ehannezo.bsky.social​ have been elected to @embo.org​ in recognition of their outstanding research contributions. Today, they join 67 other biological scientists from 24 countries in their new EMBO membership. Congratulations!
#EMBOMembers2025

🔗 https://bit.ly/3ZV6ZiA

Quantifying the carbon footprint of conference travel: the case of NMR meetings Abstract. Conference travel contributes to the climate footprint of academic research. Here, we provide a quantitative estimate of the carbon emissions associated with conference attendance by analyzi...

Read our preprint related to an important topic: climate change 👉 mr.copernicus.org/preprints/mr...
As scientists, we rely on data for rational decisions. Climate science is clear: human-made CO₂ emissions are changing our climate fast. But what can we do about it—individually or as a community? 1/n

Of Mice and Mind In June, Australian neuroscientist Amelia Douglass joined the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA) from Harvard Medical School as an Assistant Professor. Together with her team, she unco...

Join us in warmly welcoming Amelia Douglass to ISTA. We can't wait to see the incredible discoveries her work will bring to light! Find out more about her research here: ista.ac.at/en/news/of-m...

Hypothalamic neurons that control hormone secretion (magenta) and those that specifically control the release of the stress hormone cortisol (green). © Amelia Douglass

The team is particularly focused on the hypothalamus, a small but crucial brain area for regulating the body's functions and maintaining homeostasis—the body's internal balance.

Working with her team, the neuroscientist aims to gain a holistic view of how the brain ‘talks’ to the internal organs to control the body in response to threats. This sheds light on survival instincts and potentially offers insights into human stress and anxiety.

After an impressive journey from Australia (University of Queensland) to Germany (Max Planck Institute for Neurobiology), then Boston, Amelia joined ISTA in June from Harvard Medical School, trying to decode the brain-body conversations in mice.

We're thrilled to welcome Assistant Professor Amelia Douglass to ISTA!

At this year’s graduation ceremony, we were excited to celebrate the accomplishments of 55 PhD and three MSc graduates from 26 countries and 38 research groups.

Congratulations to the ISTA #ClassOf2025, we are so proud of you!

🔗 https://bit.ly/3TJPTk5

📸 © Anna Stöcher | ISTA

ISTA scientist Rajesh B. Jethwa wins Zero Emissions Award by @fwf-at.bsky.social for climate-relevant basic research into sustainable battery materials worth €375,000.

Congrats to the winners on their outstanding research projects!

Read more: https://bit.ly/46dmC8U

📸 © Luiza Puiu | FWF