Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research
Encyclopedia
The Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research (FMI) is part of the Novartis Research Foundation and is a world-class center for basic research
in life sciences
based in Basel
, Switzerland
.
In these fields the FMI has gained international recognition as a center of excellence in innovative biomedical research.
Research is carried out in 22 independent but highly interactive research teams. In addition, seven technology platforms, ranging from functional genomics
to microscopy
and imaging, support the research activities with cutting-edge technology.
As of 2011, the institute counts 320 collaborators of which 90 are postgraduate students participating in the FMI International PhD Program, 100 are postdoctoral collaborators and 22 are research group leaders. Since 2004, the institute is led by Susan M. Gasser.
. It provides biomedical research and career training for over 90 PhD students. FMI selects its highly international student body during a twice-yearly interview-based selection program. 12 FMI scientists have adjunct or full professorships at the University of Basel
in the Natural Sciences Faculty. In particular, the FMI participates actively in the teaching program of the Biozentrum of the University of Basel.
The FMI also offers training in biomedical research to postdoctoral fellows. It was designated by a survey of The Scientist
in 2006, as the “best place for postdoctoral training” outside of the US.
who discovered nucleic acids in the mid-19th century.
The research institute and foundation of the same name was created in 1970, a hundred years after Miescher’s discovery, as a collaborative effort of two Basel-based pharmaceutical companies, Ciba Aktiengesellschaft and J. R. Geigy Ltd. The founding charter describes the aims of the institute as to “pursue and promote basic research in the fields of biochemistry and medicine…“ and “…to provide young scientists from all over the world with an opportunity to participate in scientific research.” The Founding Director was Professor Hubert Bloch (died 1974) who had been Director of Research at Ciba Aktiengesellschaft, and Professor of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Basel. He was an expert in tuberculosis and was also instrumental in the founding of the Institut Suisse pour les Recherches Experimentales sur la Cancer (ISREC)
, Epalinges, Switzerland. Since 1997, the FMI is part of the Novartis Research Foundation.
1974 – 1974 Denis Monard
1974 – 1976 Matthys Staehelin
1976 – 1981 Co-directorship of four-member Executive Committee
1982 – 1984 Edward Reich
1984 – 1987 Karl Heusler
1987 – 2001 Max M. Burger
2001 – 2002 Yves Alain Barde
2002 – 2004 Denis Monard
2004 – present Susan M. Gasser
Susan M. Gasser is also a Professor of Molecular Biology at the University of Basel
and pursues research in the field of epigenetics
.
Basic Research
Basic Research is an herbal supplement and cosmetics manufacturer based in Salt Lake City, Utah that distributes products through a large number of subsidiaries. In addition, their products are sold domestically and internationally through a number of high-end retailers. Dennis Gay is the...
in life sciences
Life sciences
The life sciences comprise the fields of science that involve the scientific study of living organisms, like plants, animals, and human beings. While biology remains the centerpiece of the life sciences, technological advances in molecular biology and biotechnology have led to a burgeoning of...
based in Basel
Basel
Basel or Basle In the national languages of Switzerland the city is also known as Bâle , Basilea and Basilea is Switzerland's third most populous city with about 166,000 inhabitants. Located where the Swiss, French and German borders meet, Basel also has suburbs in France and Germany...
, Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
.
Scientific activities
The FMI is devoted to the pursuit of fundamental biomedical research. Areas of expertise are:- Neurobiology
- SignalingCell signalingCell signaling is part of a complex system of communication that governs basic cellular activities and coordinates cell actions. The ability of cells to perceive and correctly respond to their microenvironment is the basis of development, tissue repair, and immunity as well as normal tissue...
in stem cells & cancerCancerCancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the... - EpigeneticsEpigeneticsIn biology, and specifically genetics, epigenetics is the study of heritable changes in gene expression or cellular phenotype caused by mechanisms other than changes in the underlying DNA sequence – hence the name epi- -genetics...
of cell differentiation
In these fields the FMI has gained international recognition as a center of excellence in innovative biomedical research.
Research is carried out in 22 independent but highly interactive research teams. In addition, seven technology platforms, ranging from functional genomics
Functional genomics
Functional genomics is a field of molecular biology that attempts to make use of the vast wealth of data produced by genomic projects to describe gene functions and interactions...
to microscopy
Microscopy
Microscopy is the technical field of using microscopes to view samples and objects that cannot be seen with the unaided eye...
and imaging, support the research activities with cutting-edge technology.
As of 2011, the institute counts 320 collaborators of which 90 are postgraduate students participating in the FMI International PhD Program, 100 are postdoctoral collaborators and 22 are research group leaders. Since 2004, the institute is led by Susan M. Gasser.
Research Highlights
in chronological order- Development of Western blotting technique to detect proteins.
- Publication of two protocols for plant transgenesis, which were widely used in the 1980s.
- Discovery that the gene for the human growth factor receptor 2HER2/neuHER-2 also known as proto-oncogene Neu, receptor tyrosine-protein kinase erbB-2, CD340 or p185 is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the ERBB2 gene. Over expression of this gene is correlated with higher aggressiveness in breast cancers...
(ErbB2) is amplified in around 25% of primary breast tumors and dissection of its role in the pathogenesis and prognosis of breast cancer.
- Discovery of the key signaling kinase PKB (Act)AKTAkt, also known as Protein Kinase B , is a serine/threonine protein kinase that plays a key role in multiple cellular processes such as glucose metabolism, cell proliferation, apoptosis, transcription and cell migration.-Family members:...
and demonstration of its central role in cancer cell signaling.
- First use of green fluorescent proteinGreen fluorescent proteinThe green fluorescent protein is a protein composed of 238 amino acid residues that exhibits bright green fluorescence when exposed to blue light. Although many other marine organisms have similar green fluorescent proteins, GFP traditionally refers to the protein first isolated from the...
-tagged proteins in transfected cells and for live imaging in neurons.
- Description of method of action of everolimusEverolimusEverolimus is the 40-O- derivative of sirolimus and works similarly to sirolimus as an mTOR inhibitor....
on the mammalian target of rapamycinMammalian target of rapamycinThe mammalian target of rapamycin also known as mechanistic target of rapamycin or FK506 binding protein 12-rapamycin associated protein 1 is a protein which in humans is encoded by the FRAP1 gene...
(mTOR) and provision of rational for its application in cancer.
- Isolation and characterization of human Dicer, the key enzyme in RNA interferenceRNA interferenceRNA interference is a process within living cells that moderates the activity of their genes. Historically, it was known by other names, including co-suppression, post transcriptional gene silencing , and quelling. Only after these apparently unrelated processes were fully understood did it become...
and miRNAMirnaMirna may refer to:geographical entities* Mirna , a river in Istria, Croatia* Mirna , a river in Slovenia, tributary of the river Sava* Mirna , a settlement in the municipality of Mirna in Southeastern Sloveniapeople...
pathways.
- Development of MeDIP: a technique for monitoring DNA methylationDNA methylationDNA methylation is a biochemical process that is important for normal development in higher organisms. It involves the addition of a methyl group to the 5 position of the cytosine pyrimidine ring or the number 6 nitrogen of the adenine purine ring...
genome-wide.
- New approach to restore vision in retinitis pigmentosaRetinitis pigmentosaRetinitis pigmentosa is a group of genetic eye conditions that leads to incurable blindness. In the progression of symptoms for RP, night blindness generally precedes tunnel vision by years or even decades. Many people with RP do not become legally blind until their 40s or 50s and retain some...
.
Teaching and Training
The FMI is an affiliated institute of the University of BaselUniversity of Basel
The University of Basel is located in Basel, Switzerland, and is considered to be one of leading universities in the country...
. It provides biomedical research and career training for over 90 PhD students. FMI selects its highly international student body during a twice-yearly interview-based selection program. 12 FMI scientists have adjunct or full professorships at the University of Basel
University of Basel
The University of Basel is located in Basel, Switzerland, and is considered to be one of leading universities in the country...
in the Natural Sciences Faculty. In particular, the FMI participates actively in the teaching program of the Biozentrum of the University of Basel.
The FMI also offers training in biomedical research to postdoctoral fellows. It was designated by a survey of The Scientist
The Scientist
The Scientist: Magazine of Life Sciences is a professional magazine intended for life scientists. Coverage includes reviews of widely noticed research papers, informing its audience of current research, updates to technology, updates to career information, profiles of scientists achieving...
in 2006, as the “best place for postdoctoral training” outside of the US.
Patents and translational implementation
The FMI has as a major goal the patenting of its discoveries and implementation of its basic research into pharmaceutical development.History
The Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research is named after the Basel scientist Friedrich MiescherFriedrich Miescher
Johannes Friedrich Miescher was a Swiss physician and biologist. He was the first researcher to isolate and identify nucleic acid.-Biography:...
who discovered nucleic acids in the mid-19th century.
The research institute and foundation of the same name was created in 1970, a hundred years after Miescher’s discovery, as a collaborative effort of two Basel-based pharmaceutical companies, Ciba Aktiengesellschaft and J. R. Geigy Ltd. The founding charter describes the aims of the institute as to “pursue and promote basic research in the fields of biochemistry and medicine…“ and “…to provide young scientists from all over the world with an opportunity to participate in scientific research.” The Founding Director was Professor Hubert Bloch (died 1974) who had been Director of Research at Ciba Aktiengesellschaft, and Professor of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Basel. He was an expert in tuberculosis and was also instrumental in the founding of the Institut Suisse pour les Recherches Experimentales sur la Cancer (ISREC)
ISREC
ISREC is the Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research , a not-for-profit institution founded in 1964 and located in Epalinges, Switzerland....
, Epalinges, Switzerland. Since 1997, the FMI is part of the Novartis Research Foundation.
FMI Directors
1970 – 1974 Hubert Bloch1974 – 1974 Denis Monard
1974 – 1976 Matthys Staehelin
1976 – 1981 Co-directorship of four-member Executive Committee
1982 – 1984 Edward Reich
1984 – 1987 Karl Heusler
1987 – 2001 Max M. Burger
2001 – 2002 Yves Alain Barde
2002 – 2004 Denis Monard
2004 – present Susan M. Gasser
Susan M. Gasser is also a Professor of Molecular Biology at the University of Basel
University of Basel
The University of Basel is located in Basel, Switzerland, and is considered to be one of leading universities in the country...
and pursues research in the field of epigenetics
Epigenetics
In biology, and specifically genetics, epigenetics is the study of heritable changes in gene expression or cellular phenotype caused by mechanisms other than changes in the underlying DNA sequence – hence the name epi- -genetics...
.