Research units: Sustainable health research

Evidence-based medicine (EbM) aims to ensure that medical decisions are based on the best scientific evidence. At the same time, medical experience and patients' wishes should be taken into account. The research team would like to use its experience in EbM to help ensure that scientific results of the highest possible quality are achieved in the various projects. Evidence-based medicine is important because it provides doctors and patients with good information to help them make good decisions. This enables them to avoid unnecessary treatments.

Head of the research unit: Klaus Jeitler

The research unit deals with organs that are intended for transplantation. These organs are exposed to various challenges that can have a negative impact on the survival of both the organs themselves and the patients. Our research work aims to make organs "fit" for transplantation in order to provide as many patients on transplant waiting lists as possible with a suitable organ.

Head of the research unit: Philipp Stiegler

The research focus of the RU is on the development and improvement of existing surgical and conservative therapies in the field of skin regeneration. The RU mainly deals with topics related to wound healing and wound healing disorders. A special focus will be placed on the use of fat stem cells, but biomaterials will also be examined with regard to their biocompatibility and cell-matrix interactions. When developing new methods, particular attention should be paid to the practical feasibility in the clinic; both in terms of what is technically feasible and what is ethically justifiable.

Head of the research unit: Petra Kotzbeck

The research unit aims to reduce risks and never events and to enhance the safety of patients, staff, and organizations. In innovation projects, we develop practical, digital solutions to make healthcare facilities safer and more sustainable. As the first medical university in Austria, a professorship for patient safety and sustainability in surgery was established specifically to strengthen our focus on research, teaching, and clinical collaboration, serving as a catalyst for comprehensive safety cultures.

Head of the research unit: Gerald Sendlhofer

Vision und mission statement: Cost-effective high-end medicine and research, evaluated using patient-specific endpoints and objective scientific parameters in the field of prevention, conservative and surgical  therapy of the musculoskeletal system with a special focus on total joint replacement.

Head of the research unit: Patrick Sadoghi

The research group "Responsible Aesthetics" at the Medical University of Graz is dedicated to promoting evidence-based practices, sustainable procedures, and safety standards in aesthetic medicine and plastic surgery. In close collaboration with regional, national, and international partners, we conduct research to inform, enhance, and advocate for responsible practices in aesthetic medicine. Our aim is to become a leading authority within this thematic domain and make a substantial contribution to societal engagement with it.

Head of the research unit: Sebastian Nischwitz

The treatment of seriously ill and seriously injured people is a complex interplay of many processes. Countless factors influence the outcome of this treatment. In addition, this treatment takes place in a field of tension between medical, ethical, social and economic requirements. It is therefore difficult to represent and compare medical quality using measurable parameters. As researchers into the quality of outcomes, we therefore develop and use methods to objectively present and critically examine this quality.

Head of the research unit: Paul Zajic

Genetic epidemiology plays a central role in precision medicine. She investigates the connection between variability in the genome and diseases and identifies high impact targets for therapy and prevention. Our focus is on aging, which explains 90% of mortality in the Western world. Aging is a plastic and variable process in humans. If we can slow down the aging process, the result would be a long and healthy life.

Head of the research unit: Helena Schmidt

International and interprofessional research and education of future generations of health care professionals related to ageing and integrated care in geriatric medicine builds our success.
Our academic work is based upon delivery of person-centered and integrated care for older and multimorbide citizens, answering needs with sustainable solutions and concepts.

Head of the research unit: Regina Roller-Wirnsberger

The Research Unit aims to facilitate the translational adoption of digital technologies in surgery and to expand its reach for clinical application. Proactive participation for building tomorrow’s healthcare with digital technologies to promote surgical care, research and development.

Head of the research unit: David Benjamin Lumenta

While most investigations of the voice can only record it indirectly (voice recording, endoscopy), we deal with physiology and pathophysiology on a cellular and molecular level. The phonomimetic bioreactor we have developed allows us to simulate the vibration of the vocal folds in a test tube and thus to investigate the effects of vibration on the different cell types. We are particularly interested in questions at the intersection of biology and mechanics.

Head of the research unit: Markus Gugatschka

The Musculoskeletal Research Unit for Biomaterials aims to develop new, healthier materials - especially for children - that functionally support the bone healing during bone fracture treatment in orthopedics and traumatology and then be absorbed. With this overall goal, the patient's demand for the most effective treatment is achievable and feasible. In order to work translationally, a strong network between clinical and basic research is required (from bench-to-bedside and vice versa).

Head of the research unit: Nicole Sommer

We span an arc from basic research in stem cell biology to translational research in the field of transfusion medicine. The aim is to gain new insights into the molecular regulation of human haematopoiesis. The focus is on the production of red blood cells (erythrocytes) from human stem cells using biotechnological processes. Both CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells from umbilical cord blood and so-called induced pluripotent stem cells (reprogrammed skin or blood cells) serve as starting material.

Head of the research unit: Isabel Dorn

The research unit is concerned with the identification and characterisation of new blood group variants and the scientific processing of discrepant blood group findings. Classical family studies and special immunohaematological diagnostics, on a serological and molecular level, or by means of in vitro experiments are used. 

Head of the research unit: Thomas Wagner

The molecular mechanisms of action of light therapy for skin diseases are investigated using biomedical models and cell culture in conjunction with clinical studies - from bedside to bench and back. By understanding the underlying mechanisms we aim to create the basis for new and targeted therapies against skin diseases with greater effectiveness and sustainability - and an improved safety profile. Our research is inspired by clinical hypotheses, which are the core of translational studies.

Head of the research unit: Peter Wolf

Obstetric trauma is thought to be the most common cause of anal incontinence with the external anal sphincter being disrupted by a third degree tear after vaginal delivery.
Anal incontinence often devastets patients' lives and treatment options are limited. Conservative measures can be ineffective. Surgical interventions can be associated with complications and limited success. We have been following women who have severe obstetric perineal trauma since 1993 and we were looking for an anal incontinence treatment that was less invasive and more successful.

Head of the research unit: Andrea Frudinger

Research focuses on bioaerosols, water hygiene and microecology. High concentrations of microorganisms, dust and chemical substances can lead to health problems in the indoor air (waste management, livestock housing) and in the outdoor air. Other topics are the detection of biological and chemical components as well as of human-associated antibiotic resistance in ground and surface waters and their potential impact on the environment.

Head of the research unit: Doris Haas

We are committed to advancing the diagnosis, understanding of underlying mechanisms, and therapeutic approaches for chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). While our primary focus is on primary CRS, we also address secondary forms, including those associated with immunological, tumorous, and infectious causes. At our Rhinology outpatient clinic, clinical research is integrated into patient care, ensuring a direct link between scientific discovery and practical application. Our goal is to improve long-term CRS management through personalized treatment models and novel diagnostic standards.

Head of the research unit: Alexandros Andrianakis

Diseases of the heart, lungs, and brain are the most common causes of death worldwide. The expected future increase in unhealthy diets, lack of exercise, tobacco consumption, and air pollution will further reduce survival rates. The "Sex and Gender in Disease Pathophysiology" research unit investigates how sex and gender influence the development of these diseases. Using cutting-edge approaches in experimental and clinical research, we are working to personalize medicine for men and women in order to reduce mortality from cardiovascular disease in the long term.

Head of the research unit: Federica Piani 

The research unit “Metabolism of Lung Regeneration” explores molecular mechanisms that abrogate epithelial repair and regeneration in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF). COPD relentlessly proceeds to respiratory failure and premature mortality despite treatment, making it the fourth leading cause of death worldwide. IPF shows a mean survival of 3-5 years, and the two approved drugs, Pirfenidone and Nintedanib, only delay disease progression. Therefore, we aim to translate the gained knowledge into disease-modifying therapeutic concepts..

Head of the research unit: Paul Vesely

The aim of our research is to find novel therapeutic targets in lung disease and exploit those for future pharmacotherapy. One focus is on idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a deadly disease with very limited therapeutic options. We are currently especially interested in metabolites of arachidonic acid and the citrate cycle and how these might influence pulmonary fibrosis. Notably, these investigations require a translational approach, which is why we work with cell and tissue culture, patient samples and in vivo models to link these findings.

Head of the research unit: Thomas Bärnthaler

Employing preclinical models and human tissue samples, we aim to elucidate how ion channels shape pivotal pulmonary vascular functions to both understand vascular biology and mechanism of pulmonary disorders. In doing so, we aim to identify interactions between smooth muscle and endothelial cells and clarify their pathophysiological role. The overarching goal is the discovery of new regulators for novel therapeutic or diagnostic approaches.

Head of the research unit: Nagaraj Chandran

VISION-Precision Imaging is dedicated to advancing state-of-the-art CT and MRI techniques as well as quantitative image analysis with a focus on abdominal and urogenital cancers. The unit aims to develop innovative imaging biomarkers for diagnosis, risk stratification, and therapy planning, and to translate them into clinical practice. Through strong collaborations at the regional, national, and international level, it reinforces the role of Med Uni Graz as a leading center for oncologic imaging.

Head of research unit: Emina Talakic