Debrecen4U December 9, 2025

The University of Debrecen’s Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology marks its 75th year

On the occasion of its anniversary, a scientific meeting was held to review the institute’s outstanding achievements.

The Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Debrecen was founded in 1950. At the jubilee scientific session marking its 75th anniversary, participants reflected on the institute’s most significant accomplishments and presented its diverse educational and research activities. Researchers there pursue wide‑ranging scientific work, including studies on the biochemical mechanisms of cell death and the links between innate immunity and viral infections. The Institute has also been awarded the “Excellent Research Site” designation by the Hungarian Academy of Sciences.

The Institute’s predecessor was established under Professor Béla Tankó in 1950. He was succeeded by Professor Pál Elődi (1974–1993), who placed strong emphasis on education and practical training, and later by Professor László Fésüs (1993–2013), under whose leadership the Institute expanded its instrumentation and established several service laboratories, including an Experimental Animal Facility enabling genetic manipulation. Since 2013, the Institute has been directed by Professor József Tőzsér. In terms of staff, scientific performance, and educational responsibilities, the Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (BMBI) is currently one of the largest academic units at the University of Debrecen.

“Our predecessors showed exceptional foresight, establishing the Institute of Biochemistry seventy‑five years ago, ahead of their time, when others were not yet considering such developments. Moreover, they not only initiated it but also carried out their work at a high standard. Since then, the Institute has remained one of the flagships of the Faculty of Medicine, both in education and scientific activity,” emphasized Professor László Mátyus, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, at the scientific meeting marking the Institute’s 75th anniversary.

The Institute has been awarded the “Excellent Research Site” designation by the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. The Proteomics Service Laboratory, primarily focused on protein analysis, was earlier recognized on its own and, since last year, together with the Institute’s Genomic Medicine and Bioinformatics Service Laboratory as the UD Systems Biology Network, selected by the National Research, Development and Innovation Office as one of Hungary’s leading research infrastructures. The Institute’s scientific profile is wide‑ranging.

“At our Institute, six major research laboratories and five independent research groups investigate topics such as the biochemical mechanisms of cell death, the connections between innate immunity and viral infections, the biochemistry of retroviruses, and stem cell differentiation. The Institute also possesses internationally outstanding infrastructure, much of which is organized into service laboratories that support the wider research community,” explained Professor József Tőzsér, Director of the Institute.

The staff of the Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology teach around two thousand students each year across various faculties and programs. They contribute to the Hungarian and English‑language training of medical and dental students, as well as MSc students in molecular biology and biotechnology, and also participate in the Hungarian‑language education of MSc clinical researchers and BSc biotechnology students.

Source: dehir.hu | Photo credit:Debrecen városa Facebook