News EPFL

How a protein stops cells from attacking their own DNA

Published:14.08.20 — Scientists at EPFL have demonstrated the mechanism that allows cells to fight off viral DNA without triggering an immune response against their own genetic material.

Uranium reveals its true nature

Published:13.08.20 — EPFL scientists have made a significant discovery in how nanoscale minerals form naturally, including the way in which they transition from a soluble to a solid state. Their findings could be used to inform radioactive waste management.

The (neuro)science of getting and staying motivated

Published:13.08.20 — Neuroscientists at EPFL and the University of Edinburgh have discovered that the degree of motivation and the stamina to keep it up depends on the ratio between the neurotransmitters glutamine and glutamate in the nucleus accumbens of the brain.

New device delivers single cells in just one click

Published:12.08.20 — EPFL spin-off SEED Biosciences has developed a pipetting robot that can dispense individual cells one by one. Their innovation allows for enhanced reliability and traceability, and can save life-science researchers time and money.

Florian Breider: a passion for all things Japanese

Published:11.08.20 — Summer series: Careers in research. Florian Breider, who heads EPFL’s Central Environmental Laboratory (CEL), knew from a young age that he wanted to become a scientist. But what he didn’t know was just how important Asia would be in shaping his career.

Using air to amplify light

Published:11.08.20 — In a promising breakthrough for the future of communications, EPFL researchers have developed a technology that can amplify light in the latest hollow-core optical fibers.

Fireflies shed light on the function of mitochondria

Published:10.08.20 — The mitochondria provide energy for our cells, yet their role in many diseases is still poorly understood. Thanks to a bioluminescent molecule, scientists at EPFL can observe them at work in living mammals