Alumni MedBern Research Prize 2026 for Melanie C. Scalise

We are proud to announce that Dr. Melanie C. Scalise has been awarded the Alumni MedBern Research Prize 2026 at this year’s Day of BioMedical Research.

Her award-winning project, “Host-associated microbial evolution generates dominant gut communities that reshape metabolism,” explores how the evolution of the gut microbiota shapes microbial community behavior and influences host metabolism.

The award recognizes Melanie’s excellent scientific work and the collaborative efforts behind this research.

Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition!

Maria wins the Pierre-Mercier grant!

We are excited to share that Maria has received financial support from the Pierre-Mercier foundation. We will now study functional microbiome related aspects of diet-induced obesity in children and adults! We thank the Pierre Mercier-Foundation for their trust and interest in our research!

The tail of Agnes and Herbert!

For a while now, these little buggers: a bacteria named Cutibacterium acnes (Agnes) and a dead fly (Herbert) kept us occupied with extensive detective work. Recently we resolved their mysteries and our lab members are rejoicing with joy!

Maria has won the Marie Heim-Vögtlin Prize 2023

Maria Luisa Balmer has won the 2023 Marie Heim-Vögtlin Prize in recognition of her medical research into the links between intestinal flora and obesity and diabetes.

Press release: https://sohub.io/k4lw
Video: https://sohub.io/dclo