We want to understand the molecular mechanisms of health and disease

We train and mentor PhD students and postdocs

We work on biological mechanisms that enable biomedical application

Our 20 research groups

are supported by cutting-edge

technology platforms

Genome Regulation
Multicellular Systems
Neurobiology

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Latest News

Jun 23, 2026

Jeff Chao’s group awarded €2.5m ERC grant to study RNA in living cells

FMI senior group leader Jeff Chao and his team have been awarded €2.5 million through the prestigious European Research Council Advanced Grant scheme to study how RNA controls gene expression in living cells, with the goal of uncovering fundamental principles of RNA biology. The work could help understand how errors in these processes may contribute to neurodegeneration and muscle disease. Coincidentally, Chao, who also holds a teaching position at the University of Basel, is giving his habilitation lecture there today, marking another important milestone in his academic career.

Jun 09, 2026

Mitochondria may help immune cells fight bacteria by changing shape

May 20, 2026

How cells pre-arrange the genome to build a face

About the FMI

The Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research (FMI), based in Basel, Switzerland, is a world-class biomedical research institute, affiliated with the University of Basel and Novartis Biomedical Research.

330

People

Nationalities

Research Groups

active ERC grants (and equivalent)

Highlights

Video: DNA rhythms orchestrate gene activity across development

Video: Proudly advancing biomedical research and training

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Upcoming Seminars & Events

Jul 02, 2026 - 11:00-12:00 - Fab24 0.60/61

Essential genes are dominantly activated by single transcription factors

Seminar - Ralph Grand, Zentrum für Molekulare Biologie der Universität Heidelberg

Save to Calendar

Jul 16, 2026 - 15:00 - Fab24 0.60/61

PhD defense Anna Vasilevskaya

Seminar - On constraining the set of plausible algorithms of cortical function

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More Publications

Latest Publications

Jun 16, 2026

Quantitative comparison of methodologies for translation site imaging in living cells.

Misiaszek AD, Griesbach E, Jaugaite E, Ortale A, Eglinger J, Hochstoeger T, Chao JA

RNA

Jun 12, 2026

Mice produce interneurons in the septum as a response to aversive experiences and antidepressant treatment.

Lampada A, Rolando C, Whittle N, Engler A, Tillmann J, Freire JA, Giachino C, Parmigiani E, Saotome I, Louvi A, Gründemann J, Lüthi A, Taylor V

Sci Adv

Jun 11, 2026

The neuropeptide neuromedin U receptor NMUR-1 buffers insulin receptor signaling in bacteria-dependent C. elegans survival.

Sifoglu D, Pereira B, DeGregory C, Shah R, Maier W, Guan J, Clark I, Patel D, Ch'ng Q, Alcedo J

PLoS Genet

Jun 5, 2026

The eutherian-specific histone H3.4 promotes germ cell development and reproductive fitness.

Komarov PA, Bammer PC, Liang CY, Hotz HR, Fanourgakis G, Chun S, Kohler H, Buchholz TO, Spetz JF, Peters AHFM

Nat Commun

Post of the Week

Congratulations to Marylène Bonvin, who defended her PhD thesis last week! Her work explored how metabolism and gene regulation help Hydra — a tiny freshwater animal famous for regeneration — organize and maintain its body plan 👏

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— FMI science (@fmiscience.bsky.social) June 11, 2026 at 2:46 PM