Prof. Osamu Shimmi held a presentation at the joint seminar on the 20th anniversary of Estonian-Japanese academic cooperation

Future top-specialists of Estonian life sciences come from our Institute!

The Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology of the University of Tartu teaches the offspring of young researchers at all levels. Our researchers are at the top level in world-class science.

New publications by IMCB's scientists:

Chair of Molecular Biology: The article "Ribosome Protein Composition Mediates Translation during the Escherichia coli Stationary Phase" shows that changes in ribosome protein composition are critical for regulating protein synthesis in E. coli during the stationary phase. Ribosomal protein expression changes during this phase, leading to altered ribosome composition and translation efficiency. These findings shed light on bacterial adaptation and survival under challenging conditions and have implications for developing new strategies to combat bacterial infections.

Chair of Developmental Biology: The article "Coordination of tissue homeostasis and growth by the Scribble-α-Catenin-Septate junction complex" shows how apicobasal polarity (ABP), a feature of epithelial cells, affects tissue growth and homeostasis in the Drosophila wing imaginal disc as a model. Scribble, a key ABP determinant, interacts with α-Catenin and the Septate junction complex to regulate tissue growth and prevent neoplasia. This study reveals how cell-cell communication among optimal and sub-optimal cells coordinates epithelial function and integrity.

Chair of Genetics: The effect of microorganisms on the decomposition of organic matter in black shale (graptolite argillite), as well as on the leaching and/or precipitation of metals (V, Mo, U and Zn) was studied. Graptolite argillite in the bedrock of Estonia is a habitat for microbes (inactive cells or spores). For the first time, the research combined two seemingly contradictory goals: firstly, to use the rock as a source of methane generation and secondly, as a metal ore. This was achieved thanks to the thorough competence in environmental microbiology and genetics of IMCB's scientists.