science wire

Transcriptional barcoding of retinal cells identifies disease target cells By developing a large scale gene expression map for retinal cell types, FMI Neurobiologists have been able to identify the cells in the retina, where the genes causing retinal diseases specifically act. This narrows down the search for a better understanding of the diseases and opens up new avenues for therapeutic approaches.

From stimulus to emotion: A role for cortex in emotional learning A team of neurobiologists around Andreas Lüthi at the Friedrich Miescher Institute of Biomedical Research has shown for the first time that cortex, the largest area of the brain that is typically associated with higher functions such as perception and cognition, is also a prominent site of emotional learning.

FMI director Susan Gasser receives highly esteemed Inserm International Prize Susan Gasser, director of the Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research of the Novartis Research Foundation, r

Walking or movement in general, comes so naturally to us, yet it results from a sophisticated interplay between the nervous system and muscles. Little is known about the neuronal blueprint that ensures the regulation of functionally opposing motor actions, which in turn are responsible for all movement.

The FMI receives another generous grant from the EU Marc Bühler, Group Leader at the Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research (FMI), has received one of the highly sought-after ERC Starting Grants from the European Research Council (ERC).

Witold Filipowicz, group leader at the Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research (FMI) of the Novartis Research Foundation, received over the weekend the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award from the internationally renowned RNA Society.

Closer cooperation between University of Basel and the Friedrich Miescher Institute The University of Basel and the Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research (FMI) intend to strengthen their existing cooperation.

June 25, 2010 Microbial protein restores vision in blind animals Scientists from the Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research (FMI) restore vision in retinitis pigmentosa using an archaebacterial protein. Introducing halorhodopsin into the remaining but nonfunctional cone photoreceptors of the retina of mice not only reactivates the cone cells' ability to interact with the rest of the visual system, it also prompts sophisticating visually guided behavior.

Scientists at the Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research (FMI, part of the Novartis Research Foundation) have dissected one of the molecular mechanisms underlying Friedreich's ataxia. In doing so, they have shed new light on the pathogenic mechanism of the disease. These findings could lead to the development of new therapeutic approaches for what is, as yet, an incurable condition.

Scientists at the Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research (FMI, part of the Novartis Research Foundation), are unraveling how odors are processed by the brain. As they report, odors in the olfactory brain are classified into groups represented by discrete activity states of neuronal circuits.

When it comes to treating incurable diseases, hopes are high for stem cells because they can develop into a multitude of specialized cells. But despite rapidly accumulating and promising results - stem cells are for instance implicated in the treatment of Type 1 diabetes- the nature, function and differentiation capacity of stem cells are still poorly understood.

March 16 2010 The Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research turns 40! Today, the Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, part of the Novartis Research Foundation, is celebrating its 40th birthday.

Today, the Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, part of the Novartis Research Foundation, is celebrating its 40th birthday.