Closer cooperation between University of Basel and the Friedrich Miescher Institute

The University of Basel and the Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research (FMI) intend to strengthen their existing cooperation. Under a new collaboration agreement, the FMI will assume the status of an "affiliated institute" of Basel University.

The FMI, which is part of the Novartis Research Foundation, operates at the interface between academic basic research and biomedical applications. Established in 1970, it has an excellent international reputation as a biomedical research institute, notably in the fields of signaling and cancer, neurobiology and epigenetics. In these key research areas, FMI staff hold professorships at Basel University, and the institute trains Master's and PhD students and provides development opportunities for young scientists.

The University of Basel wishes to further strengthen its position in life sciences through strategic alliances and collaboration agreements. The aim is to create synergies and expand scientific networks in the research areas of highest priority.

Along with other Basel-based research institutions participating in the "Network of Excellence in Life Sciences", the FMI already maintains close links with the University of Basel. The new agreement is designed to further strengthen collaboration between the University and the FMI in research, teaching and talent promotion. For example, additional university professorships at the FMI, as well as joint appointments of scientific staff are encouraged. The new agreement provides a framework for these measures - e.g. specifying the terms of the partners' collaboration and their decision-making and participation rights, as well as the handling of publications and commercial exploitation of the results of joint research projects. Professors appointed at the FMI will have the same rights and duties as other holders of university professorships.

FMI Director Susan Gasser comments: "The new agreement underlines the commitment of both organizations to cooperate and exploit synergies so as to further strengthen the position of the Basel region in life sciences and research. In addition, it will enhance the role of the FMI in bridging the gap between academia and industry."

The term of the new agreement between the University of Basel and the FMI is open-ended. The University has already concluded a similar association agreement with the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute.

Further information
» Prof. Dr. Susan Gasser, FMI Director, + 41 61 697 50 25, Susan.Gasser@unibas.ch
» Prof. Dr. Peter Meier-Abt, Head of Research and Talent Promotion, University of Basel, +41 61 267 27 36, Peter.Meier-Abt@unibas.ch
» Christoph Tschumi, Head of Administration, University of Basel, + 41 61 267 30 01, christoph.tschumi@unibas.ch

About the FMI
The Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research (FMI), based in Basel, Switzerland, is a world-class center for basic research in life sciences. It was founded in 1970 as a joint effort of two Basel-based pharmaceutical companies and is now part of the Novartis Research Foundation. The FMI is devoted to the pursuit of fundamental biomedical research. Areas of expertise are neurobiology, growth control, which includes signaling pathways, and the epigenetics of stem cell development and cell differentiation. The institute counts 320 collaborators. The FMI also offers training in biomedical research to PhD students and postdoctoral fellows from around the world. In addition the FMI is affiliated with the University of Basel. The Director of the FMI since 2004 is Prof. Susan Gasser.