March 2019
First bacterial genome created entirely with a computer
News
Scientists at ETH Zurich have developed a new method that greatly simplifies the production of large DNA molecules containing many hundreds of genes. With this method, they have built the first genome of a bacterium entirely designed by a computer algorithm. The method has the potential to revolutionise biotechnology.
Major step towards individual cancer immunotherapy
News
Medicine has great hopes for personalised cancer immunotherapy. The idea is to have a vaccine prompt the immune system to fight a tumour. Scientists at ETH Zurich have developed a method that allows them to determine which molecules are suited to patient-specific immunisation.
A compass pointing West
News
Researchers from the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI in Villigen and the ETH Zurich have discovered a special phenomenon in magnets. This phenomenon takes place at the nanoscale and enables magnets to be assembled in unusual configurations, which could also be useful for computer technology and data storage.?
How AI could spur drug development
Zukunftsblog
Using artificial intelligence in drug design would give pharmaceutical research a boost, says Gisbert Schneider. In the medium term, computers could even carry out experiments autonomously.
Honour for discoverer of Crispr
News
French biochemist Emmanuelle Charpentier, one of the scientists who discovered the Crispr gene editing tool, is being honoured with ETH Zurich’s Richard R. Ernst Gold Medal.
Social media and the concentration of power
Zukunftsblog
Network effects promote an alarming concentration of power within social media. Standards offer an alternative but require user initiative, blogs Ulrik Brandes.
Broad-based commitment to ETH Zurich
News
The ETH Foundation received donations and bequests to the value of CHF 130.1 million from the generosity of private persons, foundations and the business community.
Official comment on recent media coverage
Press release
ETH Zurich provides an official comment on articles published recently in the online magazine Republik.
Learning for Leadership
Zukunftsblog
What does it mean when the first professor recommended for dismissal in 164 years is female? Eawag Director Janet Hering addresses three areas to develop in terms of ETH governance.
A social bacterium with versatile habits
News
Related individuals of a soil bacterial species live in cooperative groups and exhibit astonishing genetic and behavioural diversity. ETH researchers recently published these findings in Science.