This was the Long Night of Research 2026 at CeMESS

Eight CeMESS-led stations were spread across two venues – the University of Vienna Main Building and the UBB – with the program running from 17:00 to 23:00 and inviting attendees to explore current research. The stations covered topics ranging from soil biology and microbes to evolution, color science, and plant–microbe nitrogen dynamics through hands-on activities.

CeMESS-Stations at University of Vienna Main Building

Biological soil crusts under stress

• Dagmar Woebken and her team demonstrated how tiny soil microorganisms survive extreme conditions and what these lessons taught us about climate resilience.

Biodegradable chemicals

• Michael Zumstein and his colleagues explored what makes certain chemicals biodegradable and where such substances could replace other harmful man-made chemicals in ecosystems.

Highlights at the UBB included a pub quiz that tested knowledge across the life sciences and sparked interactive discussion; hands-on stations that let visitors experience the research process firsthand: from microscopy and microbial exploration to demonstrations with animal models and biodiversity activities; a photo booth capturing memorable moments from the evening; guided tours of the Aqualab offering a behind-the-scenes look at aquatic research facilities; and a reading on how elephants communicate, providing a narrative perspective on animal behavior and communication in the wild.

CeMESS-Stations at University Biology Building (UBB)

Science brought to life with board games

• Nathalie Heldwein’s group invited visitors to become fertilizer and test whether humanity could be fed without pollution.

• Laura Sanchez Lara’s team guided creatures through natural selection in an engaging, interactive format.

Color in science

• Sarah Pati’s and Valentin Göldner’s team offered hands-on experiments to reveal the components of everyday color.

• Ruizhe Pei’s group used fluorescent stains to make invisible microbes glow under the microscope.

Exploration of what lies beneath our feet

• Cornelia Rottensteiner’s group let visitors discover soil microorganisms through a memory game that engages the senses.

• Christina Straub’s team let guests examine real root nodules to learn how bacteria provide essential nitrogen to legumes.

We thank everyone for a wonderful evening and look forward to the next Long Night opf Research in 2028!