Uni Bern Magazin: Thema Matter and the universe

Exoplanets, neutrinos, instruments

Matter and the Universe

Contributions to space missions such as CHEOPS or Juice, leading models of planet formation, search for space debris or novel experimental approaches to detecting elementary particles – the University of Bern gets to the bottom of the really big questions. ESA, NASA and CERN are just three of many partners.

Current

Swiss Pavilion

The University of Bern at Expo 2025 in Osaka

The University of Bern is represented in the Swiss Pavilion at Expo 2025 in Osaka. On display are two Bernese space instruments that will fly into space on international space missions. And the public will learn what comets really smell like.

Universe

Where to find the next Earth

A new machine learning model from the University of Bern predicts the existence of Earth-like planets and could significantly accelerate and thus revolutionize the search for habitable worlds.

Quantum-based research

Opening of new WSS research center

The University of Basel and the University of Bern are setting up a new research center to enable the construction of superconducting quantum units. The Werner Siemens Foundation is supporting the project with a total of CHF 15 million.

To the media release

Universe

New findings in the search for life on Mars

Researchers led by the University of Bern have detected fossil microorganisms in Messinian Algerian gypsum using the LIMS mass spectrometer. This innovative technique could have the potential to detect life on Mars.

To the media release

AI unveils:

Meteoroid impacts cause Mars to shake

A study led by the University of Bern shows that impacts on Mars send seismic shockwaves farther and deeper than previously thought, and that many of the marsquakes recorded by the NASA lander InSight are caused by meteoroid impacts.

Media release

Why Mars could be red

To the media release

A team led by the University of Bern may have solved the mystery: a water-rich iron mineral could be the main cause of the red color, which also suggests a potentially habitable past on Mars.

People

People

Lateral entry into space research

Nora Hänni researches space and is fascinated by interdisciplinary cooperation – reconciling her work and family life is just as important to her.

People

Between mysteries and measuring instruments

Salome Gruchola researches the mysteries of space from the laboratory in Bern – and would like to see more women in physics.

Scientist portrait

«As a woman, you are in a male-dominated field»

Biologist Eva Ringler researches the behavior of amphibians and reptiles. In the video, she talks about the hurdles that make it difficult for women to develop their careers.

Scientist portrait

"As a woman, you're often alone but also highly visible"

Audrey Vorburger is a planetary scientist and a mother of three children. In the video, she talks about the search for life beyond Earth and her experiences in a male-dominated professional field.

Scientist portrait

«I am like a molecular architect»

Eva Hevia is researching chemical compounds that combine metals and organic components. Her aim is to develop new molecules in a more sustainable manner. In the video, she talks about the challenges of her role as a professor.

Daniel Batora

Developer of a healthy flavour enhancer

Daniel Batora is a postdoc at the Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine. He wants to use a newly discovered class of plant molecules to help food manufacturers make their products healthier.