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20 years of research – many reasons to celebrate

Over two days, more than 400 guests celebrated IMBA’s scientific contributions. From chromosomes to RNA, from organoids to the understanding of important disease mechanisms: the breadth of scientific achievements by scientists at IMBA were put centerstage at a scientific symposium on June 14 with talks by IMBA alumni who traced their recent work to their time at IMBA.

16.06.2023

In a keynote, Maria Leptin, President of the European Research Council and a member of IMBA’s Scientific Advisory Board, spoke to the importance of fundamental science. Tony Hyman, former long-time chair of the Scientific Advisory Board, emphasized the formative early days of IMBA in his keynote. In an Art Salon, artists who realized artworks at IMBA discussed the interconnections of art and science with Josef Penninger, founding director of IMBA, and the journalist Ruth Hutsteiner.

The day before, on June 13, more than 100 guests from science, politics and academy reflected on IMBA’s journey from its scientific start until now. In a video message, Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen emphasized the importance of academic freedom and basic research, especially in challenging times, and assured IMBA of his continued support.

 

On June 13, IMBA business director Markus Kiess, scientific director Jürgen Knoblich, Vienna Mayor Michael Ludwig, and Austrian Academy of Sciences president Heinz Faßmann join prominent figures at IMBA's 20th anniversary, marking a milestone in the institute's history. Left to Right: MK, JK, ML, HF. (c Sandra Schartel)
In a tour of IMBA, President Faßmann and Mayor Michael Ludwig view Drosophila melanogaster, a a commonly studied fruit fly used as a model organism at the forefront of piRNA research. Julius Brennecke, senior group leader, explained his research with transposons. (c Sandra Schartel)
Jürgen Knoblich, IMBA's scientific director, with Martin Polaschek, the minister of education, science, and research; Maria Leptin, IMBA's scientific advisory board member and president of the European Research Council; and Markus Kiess, IMBA's business director, at the Festakt on June 13. (c Sandra Schartel)
Josef Penninger, IMBA's founding director, discusses IMBA's formative years with ORF journalist Ruth Hutsteiner and IMBA scientific director Jürgen Knoblich. (c Sandra Schartel)
At the scientific symposium on June 14, Maria Leptin, long-time member of the Scientific Advisory Board and President of the European Research Council, highlighted the importance and fundamental value of basic research. (c Sandra Schartel)
Tony Hyman, long-time member of IMBA's Scientific Advisory Board and director at Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics. (c Adam Cooper)
On June 14, the attendees of IMBA's 20th anniversary jubilee gather to memorialize the occasion. (c Adam Cooper)
Members of the art salon program discuss the complementary roles of science and art in the pursuit of knowledge and expression. About the artists: Beata Mierzwa is an IMBA alumna, molecular biologist and science artist. Artist Leander Schönweger created Mandalas, three-large format graphics depicting research at IMBA and GMI. Lukas Troberg created "What if God was Wrong," a work alluding to genetics and which was referenced by novelist Dan Brown in "Inferno." (c Sandra Schartel)
Founding scientific director Josef Penninger talks about art at IMBA. In addition to overseeing the scientific mission of the institute, Penninger spearheaded a project to integrate works of art throughout the research center. (c Sandra Schartel)
Jürgen Knoblich, IMBA's scientific director, and Markus Kiess, business director, commemorate IMBA's 20th anniversary as they cut a celebratory cake. (c Sandra Schartel)