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This page lists major papers and other milestones. For more frequent updates, please check the social media accounts on Twitter (X), Bluesky, and LinkedIn.

"ChatGPT" for biomedical simulations: Study shows potential of large language models for research

"ChatGPT" for biomedical simulations: Study shows potential of large language models for research

11/07/24

The artificial intelligence (AI) model GPT-4, known from its application in ChatGPT, shows impressive capabilities in biomedical research and can be used in many ways for simulations. A simulator developed at MedUni Vienna and CeMM and based on GPT-4 shows increased accuracy in classifying the importance of genes in cancer cells, as well as in the prognosis of cancer patients. The results of the study were published in the journal Computers in Biology and Medicine.

JAK-STAT signaling maintains homeostasis in T cells and macrophages

JAK-STAT signaling maintains homeostasis in T cells and macrophages

24/04/24

When pathogens invade the body, the immune system must react immediately to prevent or contain an infection. But how do our defence cells stay ready when no attacker is in sight? Scientists from Vienna have found a surprising explanation: They are constantly stimulated by healthy tissue. This keeps them active and ready to respond to pathogens. Based on this insight, future medications could be devised to selectively enhance our immune system’s attention. The study has been published in the journal Nature Immunology.

Vaccine boosts innate immunity in people with dormant immune cells

Vaccine boosts innate immunity in people with dormant immune cells

09/01/24

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is one of the world’s oldest and most widely used vaccines. It was developed in the early 20th century to provide protection from tuberculosis. Surprisingly, this vaccine protects not only against tuberculosis but also reduces the risk for various other infections, through a mechanism called trained immunity. A new study led by Christoph Bock and Mihai Netea found that epigenetic cell states predict whether or not an individual profits from the “wake-up call” to the innate immune system that is provided by the BCG vaccine. This discovery contributes to the development of future therapeutics that induce protective trained immunity.

Single-cell sequencing on granulomas opens new therapeutic approaches for sarcoidosis

Single-cell sequencing on granulomas opens new therapeutic approaches for sarcoidosis

06/02/23

Granulomas are an accumulation of immune cells in the tissue, often the result of an overactive immune response. Granulomas contribute to several inflammatory systemic diseases such as sarcoidosis, berylliosis, and rheumatoid arthritis. For the first time, scientists at CeMM, the Medical University of Vienna and the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Rare and Undiagnosed Diseases have thoroughly characterized granulomas in the skin in immense detail. The results provide numerous insights into the composition, structure and signaling pathways of granulomas, providing clues for new therapeutic approaches. The study was published in the journal Immunity.

From octopus to elephant: a molecular zoo of epigenetics

From octopus to elephant: a molecular zoo of epigenetics

16/01/23

Christoph Bock’s team at the CeMM established a catalog of DNA methylation across 580 animal species. These data enabled a detailed dissection of the evolution of epigenetic regulation and the epigenome. The new study, published in Nature Communications, shows that the characteristic DNA methylation signatures of animal genomes are evolutionarily very old, having emerged long before the first mammals. Surprisingly, DNA methylation in starfish and sharks follows a very similar “code” as in orangutans or humans. This epigenetic code may even help protect against cancer – as indicated by DNA methylation patterns in birds, which rarely develop cancer.

Christoph Bock received the prestigious Erwin Schrödinger Award of the Austrian Academy of Sciences

Christoph Bock received the prestigious Erwin Schrödinger Award of the Austrian Academy of Sciences

08/06/22

CeMM congratulates Principal Investigator Christoph Bock on being awarded the Erwin Schrödinger Award of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (ÖAW) for his pioneering achievements in the field of single-cell sequencing and epigenetics. The Erwin Schrödinger Award together with the Wilhelm Hartel Prize are the highest prizes awarded annually by the ÖAW.

“scifi-RNA-seq” method for ultra-high-throughput RNA sequencing in single cells

“scifi-RNA-seq” method for ultra-high-throughput RNA sequencing in single cells

30/05/21

Molecular analysis of single cells provides an important basis for precision medicine. Five years ago, scientists around the world came together to pursue the “Human Cell Atlas” project, with the aim of cataloging all cells in the human body. These data have helped, for example, to identify those cell types that the coronavirus can infect particularly well. To accelerate and improve the creation of such cell catalogs, Paul Datlinger and André F. Rendeiro from Christoph Bock’s research group at CeMM developed a new method that enables single-cell RNA sequencing in a very large number of individual cells at the same time.

Blood test detects childhood tumors based on their epigenetic profiles

Blood test detects childhood tumors based on their epigenetic profiles

27/05/21

A new study exploits the characteristic epigenetic signatures of childhood tumors to detect, classify and monitor the disease. The scientists analyzed short fragments of tumor DNA that are circulating in the blood. These "liquid biopsy" analyses exploit the unique epigenetic landscape of bone tumors and do not depend on any genetic alterations, which are rare in childhood cancers. This approach promises to improve personalized diagnostics and, possibly, future therapies of childhood tumors such as Ewing sarcoma. The study has been published in Nature Communications.

Mutational Dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 in Austria: UK and South Africa variants found in Austria

Mutational Dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 in Austria: UK and South Africa variants found in Austria

03/01/21

Over the last few weeks, the United Kingdom and South Africa have faced a rapid increase in COVID-19 cases leading to enhanced epidemiological and virological investigations. Analysis of viral genome sequence data identified a sizeable proportion of cases belonging to new phylogenetic clusters. The new SARS-CoV-2 variants are defined by nonsynonymous, several of which are found in the viral spike protein, and still of uncertain functional significance. While it is known that viruses constantly change through mutation, and seldom does it lead to biological changes, the variants now increasingly observed in the UK and South Africa may be associated with increased infectivity.

Christoph Bock becomes Professor of Medical Informatics at MedUni Vienna

Christoph Bock becomes Professor of Medical Informatics at MedUni Vienna

31/12/20

Christoph Bock has been appointed as professor of medical informatics at the Medical University of Vienna and head of the Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Decision Support at CeMSIIS, starting 1 January 2021. The bioinformatician and genome researcher joins MedUni Vienna from the neighboring CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences. He will continue to lead his research group at CeMM, complementary to the new tasks at MedUni Vienna.

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