Neurons deep in the brain not only help to initiate movement—they also actively suppress it, and with astonishing precision. This is the conclusion of a new study by researchers at the University of Basel and the Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research (FMI), published in the journal Nature. The findings are especially relevant for better understanding neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease.
In laying the foundation stone for the new biomedicine building, the University of Basel is strengthening its role as a leading research institution in the life sciences. A new laboratory building is being built on the Schällemätteli campus to provide state-of-the-art infrastructure to around 700 researchers under a single roof from 2030/31 onward.
The University of Basel’s Sustainability Report for the years 2023/2024 shows that many students, researchers and staff got involved once again in the cause of greater sustainability. Nevertheless, the university’s greenhouse gas emissions increased in 2023/2024 – primarily due to increased air travel following the pandemic.
The catering services for students and faculty at the Bernoulli Kitchen & Garden, Kollegienhaus, and Biozentrum sites will be provided by Compass Group, which won the public tender.
With appreciation, openness and a spirit of innovation, they create teaching that inspires students: The Teaching Excellence Awards 2025 recognize five lecturers and students for their outstanding achievements.
Taste, pain, or response to stress — nearly all essential functions in the human body are regulated by molecular switches called G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Researchers at the University of Basel have uncovered the fundamental mechanism how such a GPCR works. Using a method similar to the earth satellite GPS, they could track the motions of a GPCR and observe it in action. Their findings, recently published in “Science”, provide guidance for designing drugs.
The body defends itself against pathogens by depriving them of vital iron. However, this strategy doesn’t always succeed against Salmonella. Researchers at the University of Basel have discovered that these bacteria specifically target iron-rich regions within immune cells to replicate. Their findings on how pathogens evade the immune defense are important for fighting infections.
In order for trees to grow, they need to control their water balance meticulously. A study by the University of Basel shows how trees react to drought – and revises previous perceptions.
After the bloody attack on Indian tourists in Kashmir, the decades-long conflict in the Indian subcontinent has flared up again. Conflict researcher Dr Pascale Schild puts the events into perspective and explains why the people of Kashmir have been torn between the fronts for decades.
