Maria Rescigno Appointed as New Director at Vienna's CeMM Research Center

The Research Center for Molecular Medicine (CeMM) of the Austrian Academy of Sciences in Vienna has welcomed Maria Rescigno, a distinguished Italian scientist, as its new director. She succeeds Giulio Superti-Furga, who led the institute since its inception and played a pivotal role in its development.

Maria Rescigno is internationally recognized for her expertise in gut health and the immune defense mechanisms of the brain. Previously, she conducted research at Humanitas University and Humanitas Research Hospital in Milan and founded a start-up focused on balancing gut flora. At CeMM, she is expected to introduce new research directions, particularly in the study of the microbiome and its impact on human health.

The CeMM institute is located within the campus of the Medical University of Vienna and the Vienna General Hospital (AKH). Employing around 300 staff, CeMM is regarded as a leading European institute in the field of life sciences. Its core research areas include aging processes, cancer, immune system disorders, and rare diseases, with a strong emphasis on bridging fundamental research and clinical application.

Under Rescigno's leadership, the institute is anticipated to strengthen its focus on the 'gut-liver-brain axis', investigating how disruptions in this system contribute to neurological and neurodegenerative conditions. Her previous work includes the discovery of a protective barrier in the gut, similar to the blood-brain barrier, which prevents bacteria from entering the bloodstream. Furthermore, she has contributed to research revealing that inflammation in the gut can trigger protective responses within the brain, highlighting the intricate connections between different organ systems.

Rescigno's research also explores the role of the microbiome in cancer therapies, including the use of modified bacteria to stimulate the immune system's response to tumors and directly target cancer cells. Her scientific contributions have earned her recognition within the European Molecular Biology Organization and the Accademia dei Lincei, and she has secured several prestigious grants from the European Research Council.

Her appointment follows the departure of Giulio Superti-Furga, who will now focus on establishing a new biomedical research and biotechnology center near Palermo in Sicily, while maintaining ongoing research and advisory roles. During his tenure, Superti-Furga guided CeMM from its early stages to its current status as a center of excellence for translational biomedical research.

Maria Rescigno holds a biology degree from the University of Milan, a PhD in pharmacology and toxicology, and has held research positions at institutions such as the University of Cambridge, the European Institute of Oncology, and the University of Oslo. In 2016, she founded Postbiotica, a biotech company specializing in products to support digestive health, which now offers several products for individuals with gastrointestinal issues.

Rescigno's arrival at CeMM is seen as a strategic move to further advance cutting-edge research in molecular medicine, promote translational breakthroughs, and foster greater gender diversity in scientific leadership roles within Vienna's biomedical landscape.