Let's meet Nick Irwin, evolutionary biologist

I’m a group leader and evolutionary biologist working at the Gregor Mendel Institute (GMI) in Vienna, interested in how complex life evolved and how it functions today. Our current research focuses on a genetic process known as horizontal gene transfer which involves the movement of genes between different species and even across kingdoms of life. For example, we now know that animals, including humans, carry viral genes in their DNA. These genes play crucial roles in diverse biological functions from neuronal signalling to the formation of the placenta. In our lab, we’re especially interested in how genes from bacteria have influenced the biology and evolution of plants. 

Remarkably, many defining features of plants, from their green pigmentation and photosynthetic ability to their thick cell walls and complex structures, are partly created using genes that plants acquired from bacteria. Our work aims to identify which bacteria these genes came from, how they ended up in plant genomes, and what roles they play today.

Although our research is focused on fundamental science, it also has interesting implications for crop design and agriculture. The fact that so many plant genes have foreign origins highlights that genetic modification is not just a laboratory technique but a natural feature of plant biology. Studying these foreign genes and their evolutionary history may help uncover new and effective strategies for designing climate and pest resilient crops.

Like many academics, my career has involved quite a bit of moving. I started out in Vancouver, Canada, where I did my PhD, and then moved to the UK in 2020 for postdoctoral research. While I was in the UK, I began connecting with scientists based in Vienna. I remember sitting in a windowless plastic room in our temporary building, hearing from researchers about the scientific opportunities and many windows at GMI. 

In 2024, my wife and I made the move to Vienna, and it turned out to be a fantastic decision. The scientific community here has been incredibly supportive, and the windows are abundant!

The research community in Vienna is excellent. One of its greatest strengths is the sheer number and diversity of research institutes, which brings together people with a wide range of scientific interests and expertise. This creates a dynamic and stimulating environment for research. 

What also stands out is the strong emphasis on fundamental, hypothesis-driven science. That shared commitment to basic research fosters a collaborative culture, where there is plenty of idea exchange and mutual support. It’s a place where researchers are encouraged and enabled to pursue ambitious questions, and that makes it a very exciting and rewarding environment to work in.

Vienna offers a uniquely supportive environment, with opportunities at the European level, national level through the FWF (Austrian Science Fund), and even at the city level through organizations like the WWTF (Vienna Science and Technology Fund). As a new group leader, one of the most impactful forms of support has been the core funding we receive from the Austrian Academy of Sciences. That foundational support gave us the freedom to pursue ambitious, high-risk projects which would be harder to get off the ground in other places. Beyond that, the overall abundance of funding opportunities along with the remarkable core facilities available at the Vienna BioCenter has allowed us to significantly grow our research and explore new, unexpected directions. That kind of flexibility and encouragement to take intellectual risks has made a big difference both scientifically and personally.

One of my favorite things about living in Vienna is spending time on the Donauinsel, especially in the summer. The island provides a fantastic place for swimming and enjoying the sun. The woods, beaches, and abundance of invasive North American Golden Rod (Solidago gigantea), really reminds me of home in Canada.

… can you live in the second most livable city in the world in 2025.