Research on Covid-19

PSI is in limited operation due to the Covid-19 pandemic. But right now, in this extraordinary time, the researchers want to make their contribution to society – at PSI and in cooperation with other research institutions and companies. Here we provide information on activities and projects that are starting up or being planned, for example, to examine lung tissue or to produce proteins and antibodies, or on ideas for new research on Covid-19.

Further Information

7 December 2020

The role of aerosols in the Coronavirus pandemic

It now seems certain that Covid-19 can be transmitted via airborne particles. But how are these particles produced? How quickly can transmission occur and how can we protect ourselves? PSI aerosol researcher Urs Baltensperger summarises the most important facts on this issue.

31 August 2020

A question of binding

Research Using Synchrotron Light Large Research Facilities Biology Human Health

At PSI, researchers are screening molecule fragments to see if these bind to important proteins of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 and thus have the potential to disable it. They are hoping the many individual pieces of information will yield an answer as to what an effective drug might look like.

6 August 2020

Coronavirus advice: Ventilate, ventilate, ventilate!

Biology Human Health

SARS-CoV-2 might be transmitted via aerosols, that is, through the air. Researchers point this out in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases. André Prévôt from PSI co-signed the publication. In this interview, he explains which precautionary measures he recommends.

30 July 2020

Covid-19 research: Anti-viral strategy with double effect

Research Using Synchrotron Light Biology Human Health

Frankfurt scientists identify a possible weakness of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. They carried out part of their measurements at PSI's Swiss Light Source SLS. The research results are published this week in the scientific journal Nature.

9 April 2020

Priority research continues

Research on Covid-19

The Paul Scherrer Institute PSI is in limited operation due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and most employees are working from home in accordance with the Federal Council's specifications. Nevertheless, essential research facilities and projects continue to operate in accordance with all the necessary safety precautions.

9 April 2020

«Every day counts in the battle against the virus»

The outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic has changed the way research is carried out at PSI but has not brought it to a standstill. Gabriel Aeppli, head of the Photon Science Division at PSI, talks about the exceptional threat that Covid-19 represents and how PSI researchers are studying this new virus at SLS, and possibly soon at SwissFEL as well.

9 April 2020

"We want to understand how this virus works"

Research on Covid-19

The Swiss Light Source SLS at PSI is still in operation despite the Covid-19 pandemic – and may be urgently needed, especially in these difficult times. Oliver Bunk, head of the Laboratory for Macromolecules and Bioimaging, explains why.

9 April 2020

Why Covid-19 hits older people especially hard

The older you are, the higher the risk of dying from a coronavirus infection. G. V. Shivashankar, a group leader at PSI and professor at ETH Zurich, now presents an unusual thesis in a publication in Nature Reviews: that the stiffness of cells might play a decisive role in the course of the disease. In this interview, he explains why.

9 April 2020

"Strategy and networking are enormously important"

Gebhard Schertler, head of the Biology and Chemistry Division at PSI and professor of structural biology at ETH Zurich, explains what research is being done on the coronavirus at PSI and why collaboration with researchers from other institutions plays such an important role in this.

9 April 2020

«SLS is something very special right now, across Europe»

The Swiss Light Source SLS is one of just a few facilities of its kind in Europe that are still in operation during these pandemic times. In an interview, Mirjam van Daalen, chief of staff of the Photon Science Division, emphasises how important international cooperation is these days.