The aim of the research unit Integrative Structural Biology (ISB) is to consolidate and further expand the research focus in the field of structural biology, which is rapidly growing at Meduni Graz, with regard to its core competencies. By integrating experimental and computational methods, we obtain detailed mechanistic and structural insights into (patho)physiologically relevant targets. In close cooperation with cooperation partners, we develop new innovative compounds that target disease-relevant key interactions.
Head of the research unit: Tobias Madl
The Trials Unit for Interdisciplinary Metabolic Medicine aims to investigate the impact of metabolic diseases on the natural course and the prognosis of various disease entities. Besides epidemiological analyses, the major focus of the group will be on the performance of randomised, controlled trials investigating therapeutic options (dietary, exercise, pharmacological) in people with metabolic diseases.
Head of the research unit: Harald Sourij
The main goal of our research unit is to identify and understand changes in lipoprotein function and composition in inflammatory and allergic diseases. We also aim to discover new reactive metabolites and understand their role in disease. Our research could lead to new mediators and biomarkers that could lead to new and more effective treatments and diagnostic tools.
Head of the research unit: Gunther Marsche
Focus: Research interests include the effects of various disorders - on the one hand in healthy humans, such as aging, space travel, prolonged bed rest or exercise, and on the other hand in diseases, such as lymphedema, preeclampsia, HIV, COVID-19, dyslipidemia and diabetes mellitus - on the cardiovascular system. Another area of interest is the vascular system and how it is affected by chronic stimuli. The broad methodological spectrum used here includes noninvasive measurements of endothelial and vascular function as well as blood biomarkers related to endothelial function and coagulation.
Head of the research unit: Nandu Goswami
The research unit "Clinical and translational cardiac arrhythmia research" investigates cardiac arrhythmias. Among other things, state-of-the-art digital methods are used to model cardiac arrhythmias and develop new treatment options. Particular attention is paid to the development, diagnosis and (interventional) treatment of atrial fibrillation, with numerous clinical studies investigating the efficacy and safety of new approaches.
Head of the research unit: Daniel Scherr
Metabolic alterations and mismatches are key for the development and progress of cardiovascular diseasees. The research unit works in basic science on underlying mechanisms. These are then tested in pilot- and multicenter outcome clinical trials.
Head of the research unit: Dirk von Lewinski
Nuclear receptors are important regulators in numerous physiological and pathological processes. This research unit focuses on those nuclear receptors that play essential roles in metabolic and inflammatory processes in the digestive tract, especially the liver. The study of our research questions in pathological human tissue represents a unique setting. The aim of our research efforts is to characterize nuclear receptors as possible therapeutic targets in various diseases of the digestive tract, especially in metabolic and cholestatic liver diseases.
Head of the research unit: Martin Wagner
Our goal is to characterize chronic and acute-on-chronic liver failure with respect to development, prognosis, and treatment. Our research is focused on alcohol-associated liver disease (the most common cause of chronic liver failure in our region), development and validation of new prognostic tools in liver failure, and validation of noninvasive fibrosis tests.
Head of the research unit: Rudolf Stauber
We develop the questions for our laboratory research at the bedside of liver patients. We focus on cholestatic (leading to jaundice) and autoimmune (caused by self-antibodies) liver diseases. We aim to decipher the development of these diseases, we search for ne therapies for these diseases and the involvement of other organs such as the kidneys and muscles. Our goal is to improve the diagnosis and treatment of these diseases.
Head of the research unit: Peter Fickert
The aim of the Research Unit is nutrition and food research to support the establishment of novel, effective and efficient preventive and medical applications. Basic biological research is combined with clinical research. A particular focus is on psycho- and immunonutrition, i.e. the influence of nutrition on mental well-being and the immune system. The role of plant-based ingredients and the food matrix is tested on various immune cells and examined in humans using blood and urine samples.
Head of the research unit: Sandra Holasek
The focus of this research unit is an improved understanding of biochemical and immunologic abnormalities caused by an unfavorable life style associated with unhealthy nutrition, inactivity, and overweight. By experimental and clinical studies, the team investigates established and new biomarkers for diagnosis and prevention of non-alcoholic fatty liver, cardiovascular diseases, dementia, and osteosarcopenia. Besides single biomarkers, we identify specific biomarker profiles and/or algorithms with high diagnostic relevance for improving the management of these diseases.
Head of the research unit: Harald Mangge
