News & Events

Researchers from the Bio Engineering Lab of Andreas Hierlemann have developed a platform to strengthen or weaken connections between neurons with unprecedented precision. Using high-density microelectrode arrays they built a framework that could guide our understanding of how complex neuronal systems remain stable, resilient, and healthy. Published in Advanced Science, this study marks a step forward in our ability to actively reshape the brain’s fundamental building blocks.

Xiang Ge Luo who used single-cell sequencing data to study tumour’s evolutionary trajectory from diagnosis during her doctorate in the Beerenwinkel group, and Adrian Lison from the Stadler lab who monitored the transmission of pathogens using clinical, behaviour, and environmental data, received the 2025 ETH Medals for their doctoral theses. Big congratulations!

On 8 May, 25 Biotechnology and 16 Computational Biology & Bioinformatics graduates attended the D-BSSE graduation ceremony together with their families and friends, in total some 160 guests. We are pleased to also celebrate three Willi Studer Prize and an ETH Medal awardee this year. We warmly congratulate all our graduates and wish them best of success for a bright future!

On 9 June, 6:15 pm, the Laboratory for Multicellular Systems led by Prisca Liberali, is inviting the public to a 1-hour guided tour to take a glimpse into the organisation and regeneration of intestinal organoids (“mini-guts”) - and into the future of biomedical research (tour in German with an introduction in English; please register).

Since January 2025, D-BSSE has a Good Scientific Practice Delegate and a Research Integrity Advisor. Both work on the ethical dimensions in scientific research. An interview with Andreas Moor who took over the function as Good Scientific Practice Delegate from Tanja Stadler in January 2026, and Jack Kuipers on their roles.

AI-generated images and videos pose a threat to democratic processes and undermine trust within society. Researchers from the Bio Engineering Lab led by Andreas Hierlemann have now developed chip technology that enables verification of the authenticity of sensor data including images or videos. 

Researchers from the Control Theory and Systems Biology lab of Mustafa Khammash have developed an improved genetic feedback controller that helps cells regulate themselves more quickly and reliably. Published in Cell Systems, the study shows how a simple modification to a classic control motif can combine fast responses with reduced cellular noise, offering a new design principle for robust control in synthetic biology.

Researchers around Petra Dittrich and the computer scientist André Kahles, both at ETH Zurich, and the  bioinformatician Ashley Rooney at the University of Zurich received a BRIDGE Discovery Grant to address the question: “Is this a bacterial infection – or not?” A new device promises a leap in emergency and precision medicine.

Today, upon application of Joël Mesot, President of ETH Zurich, the ETH Board appointed seven new professors and promoted five professors, amongst them: D-BSSE faculty members and associate professors Petra Dittrich, head of the Bioanalytics Lab, and Sai Reddy, head of the Synthetic Immunology Lab, were both promoted to Full Professor. Congratulations!