Researchers from ETH Zurich have mapped the coordinates for all the proteins of the tuberculosis pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Thanks to this “atlas”, scientists are now able to easily find and accurately measure every protein of this bacterium that causes dangerous lung diseases.

When the retina’s supply of blood and oxygen runs low, physicians have to react quickly to preserve a patient’s eyesight. But up until now there have been no methods sensitive enough to measure how well the eye is oxygenated. A microrobot invented by ETH researchers may come to the rescue.

ETH scientists have shown for the first time that white and brown fat cells can directly interconvert in a living organism from one type to the other. This finding challenges the prevailing belief that white and brown fat cells arise solely from distinct precursor cells. The knowledge will aid in the design of novel strategies to treat obesity.

Molecular biologist Chrsitian Mosimann investigates the development of the zebrafish. The aim of his research is to understand which molecules are responsible in the development of unspecialized embryonic cells into cardiac muscle cells or blood cells.

A researcher at ETH Zurich is designing a realistic artery model with an implanted stent and is using a computer to simulate the blood flow through the stent. In doing so he is uncovering weaknesses in this common form of therapy for atherosclerosis and paving the way for the development of optimized stents.

The glycoprotein hormone EPO (Erythropoetin) is more than a doping drug in sports. Numerous studies have shown that EPO controls not only the red cell production but also many other processes. Postdoc Edith Schneider-Gasser investigates whether the brain in premature babies develop faster with the help of EPO.

ETH researchers could show that exhaled human breath contains a characteristic molecular “fingerprint”. The scientists want to use this finding to diagnose diseases based on the chemical analysis of patient's exhaled breath, using highly sensitive and precise instrumental methods.

Molecular health sciences combine biology, medicine and technology in order to explore the basic principles of health and disease. This scientific discipline now has its own education and research centre in the new “Molecular Health Sciences Platform”, which was officially inaugurated on the Hönggerberg campus.

Pharmaceutics, biology, cancer research - in numerous research fields animal testing is indispensable. Hans Sigg, animal welfare officer at the UZH now retiring and his successor Michaela Thallmair both emphasise how important the respectful treatment of the animals is.

The personalised medicine proposes the genetically individual customisation of diagnosis, therapy and prevention of diseases. What potential does this approach have and which risks do we have to take into account? A discussion between Brigitte Tag, Prof. Dr. iur., Adriano Aguzzi, neuropathologist and Andreas Papassotiropoulos, psychiatrist dealt with these questions.

Researchers at the Department of Surgery of the University Children’s Hospital Zurich have been able to produce human skin in their laboratories. The first children with severe skin injuries will be treated with the new method already before the end of 2013. 

The annual BrainFair organized by UZH and ETH informs about latest brain research. The focus this year was on the characteristics of the human brain. One of the panel discussions dealt with animals that are able to count and humans with difficulties with mathematics.

Pathogenic salmonellae rely on a division of labour: some of them see to the common wellbeing, while others are able to stand up to free rider salmonellae better. This teamwork bears certain similarities to that of bee and ant colonies and is the salmonellae’s recipe for success in colonising the gut.

Subordinate animals must face higher risks than dominant ones. Dominant meerkat females yield to their subaltern group members when faced with a dangerous obstacle: as a group of these animals reaches a road, a «guinea pig» has to go first. This is the result of a behavioural study conducted by researchers from the University of Zurich and ETH Zurich.

Olga Shakhova, Postdoc at the Institute of Anatomy at the UZH, has received the Pfizer Research Prize 2013. She identified a gene which plays a main role in the origin and progression of melanoma.

Five diseases, 15 pills? Elderly people are often confronted to such situations. The Faculties of Medicine and Philosophy have founded the Center of Competence Multimorbidity at the University of Zurich. The main goal is the research on multiple chronic diseases.