Understanding metabolism is fundamental to understanding health and disease. Many of the most prevalent diseases in modern societies, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, and neurodegeneration, are characterized by profound metabolic alterations. At the Medical University of Graz, we aim to decipher these changes at the molecular level by studying the metabolome, the complete set of small molecules that reflect the biochemical state of cells, tissues, and organisms.
Our research is powered by state-of-the-art nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, a quantitative, non-destructive key technology that enables the detection, identification, and precise quantification of metabolites. Beyond metabolomics, NMR is the key technologie and plays a central role in our work in structural biology, where we investigate the structure and dynamics of biomolecules and complexes, as well as in drug discovery, pharmaceutical development, and quality control. By analyzing molecular “fingerprints,” we uncover disease mechanisms, identify biomarkers, and support the development and validation of novel therapeutic strategies.
