Research team Zatloukal

BBMRI.AT - Austrian research infrastructure for biobanks and biomolecular resources

• BBMRI.at is the national node coordinated by us that connects Austrian biobanks to the European biobank research infrastructure BBMRI-ERIC. The main task of BBMRI.at is to ensure a standardized quality of biological samples and data, thereby increasing the significance and reproducibility of research data. Furthermore, access to quality-controlled samples and data for research should be facilitated, with particular attention being paid to ethical, legal (data protection) and social aspects. Further information: http://bbmri.at/
• Duration: 2018-2023
• Funded by: Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research
• Project partners: Medical University of Vienna, Medical University of Innsbruck, Alpen Adria University Klagenfurt, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Johannes Kepler University Linz, University of Vienna

HDHL-INTIMIC Knowledge Platform on Food, Diet, Intestinal Microbiomics and Human Health

• The structure and concept of the project are preparing the formation of a European microbiome research infrastructure. The project promotes transnational communication and cooperation between the participating research groups and aims in particular to integrate existing resources (data, standards) and further process them in several use cases. The Austrian consortium has seized this opportunity and integrated itself into the transnational consortium in all work packages (Med Uni Graz is active in five of them). In particular, Med Uni Vienna and Med Uni Graz are jointly leading work package 5, “Networking and training,” which organizes internal and external communication, one of the central tasks of the project. Further information is available at: https://www.healthydietforhealthylife.eu/index.php/era-net/hdhl-intimic
• Duration: 2019-2022
• Funded by: Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research
• Project partners: Karl-Franzens University Graz, Medical University of Vienna, Sigmund Freud Private University Vienna, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, and 42 other European project partners.

Microscopic teaching in medicine 2.0

• For many decades, teaching medical students has been dominated by practical training at the microscope. Technical advances in the digitization of histological sections have now opened up new possibilities for using digitized images in the training of medical professionals. Digitized images also enable the use of analysis methods based on artificial intelligence. This allows students to learn how to use these new technologies critically and build up the necessary skills using practical examples.
• Duration: 2020-2024
• Funded by: Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research

Interuniversity infrastructure for digital pathology

• Histological sections contain detailed information about disease processes that is essential for medical research and diagnosis. Advances in the digitization of histological sections and machine learning now make it possible to analyze digital information from complex images of tissue sections. To this end, a national inter-university digital pathology infrastructure will be established involving the medical universities in Graz, Vienna, and Innsbruck as well as the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna.
• Duration: 2017-2021
• Funded by: Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research
• Project partners: Medical University of Vienna, Medical University of Innsbruck, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna

• Several SARS-CoV-2 virus variants have been cultivated in our BSL-3 laboratory and used for a wide range of functional studies. Issues addressed include testing antiviral drugs, testing antibodies, testing nasal sprays and natural substances, developing and validating diagnostics, and testing and developing methods for virus inactivation and reprocessing of protective equipment. For this purpose, we use virus neutralization assays and the latest technologies such as in situ transcriptome analyses and organoid and organ cultures.
• Duration: 2020-2024
• Funded by: Medical University of Graz, Medical University of Vienna, University of Graz, acib, FFG, MEFO
• Project partners: D&F Institute for Hygiene, Microbiology and Environmental Medicine, Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Lung Vascular Research, Biobank Graz, University of Graz, Medical University of Vienna, acib, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, various companies

• Protein aggregates occur in a variety of degenerative diseases, such as Mallory-Denk bodies in fatty liver hepatitis and liver carcinomas, Lewy bodies in Parkinson's disease, and neurofibrillary tangles in Alzheimer's disease in the brain. We have identified the protein p62/sequestrosome 1 as a common component of all these protein aggregates. Using a wide range of cell culture models and gene knockout mouse models, we are investigating the function of p62 and have identified different mechanisms that lead to protein aggregation.
• Duration: ongoing
• Funded by: Medical University of Graz
• Project partners: University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, CERM University of Florence, ETH Lausanne

• The aim of the project is to develop a concept for a comprehensive and sustainable data infrastructure for universities, colleges, and industry. The project includes planning a shared IT infrastructure, data services, necessary human resources, and the development of a governance model, including a business concept. The overarching goal is to strengthen Styria's higher education and economic region and significantly increase Styria's visibility at the European level in the field of data science. Further information is available at: https://www.tugraz.at/projekte/ideas/home/
• Duration: 2020-2022
• Funded by: Province of Styria
• Project partners: Graz University of Technology, Karl-Franzens University Graz, FH Joanneum

• Molecular diagnostics (e.g., gene sequencing) is a central pillar of personalized medicine for correctly characterizing individual diseases. However, the significance of molecular analyses depends directly on the quality of the biological blood or tissue sample examined. Therefore, SPIDIA4P develops European and international standards (CEN and ISO standards) for the collection and processing of samples for molecular diagnostics and supports their implementation. Further information is available at: https://www.spidia.eu/
• Project duration: 2017-2021
• Funded by: EU - Horizon 2020
• Project partners: Qiagen GmbH, LGC Limited, Technical University of Munich, German Institute for Standardization, Preanalytix GmbH, Inivata Ltd, Cambridge Protein Arrays Ltd, Tataa Biocenter AB, Universita degli Studi di Firence, Consorzio Interuniversitario Risonanze Magnetiche di Metallo Proteine, University of Trieste, University of Turin, Biobanks and Biomolecular Resources Research Infrastructure Consortium, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, ERASMUS University Medical Center Rotterdam, Fundacio Centre de Regulacio Genomica, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori

• Instand-NGS4P is an EU project coordinated by us to improve the medical benefits of next-generation sequencing (NGS) for cancer patients by developing an integrated and standardized NGS workflow and integrating information from cancer genetic testing, pharmacogenetic testing, and e-medication to support treatment decisions at the bedside. The project team specifies requirements for NGS workflows and handles public tenders for companies to finance the further development of the necessary technologies. Further information is available at: https://www.instandngs4p.eu/
• Duration: 2020-2025
• Funded by: EU – Horizon 2020, pre-Procurement Project
• Project partners: University of Florence, ERASMUS University Medical Centre, University of Milano-Bicocca, University Clinics of Schleswig-Holstein, St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute, Centre Leon Bérard, Italian Patient Association (FAVO), European Cancer Patient Coalition, German Institute of Standardisation, Technical University of Munich, University of Ljubljana, University of Manchester, University of Liverpool, Organisation of European Cancer Institutes, University of Helsinki, BioXPedia, International Prevention Research Institute

• EASI-Genomics is committed to facilitating access to state-of-the-art gene sequencing technologies for researchers in academia and industry, within a framework that ensures compliance with ethical and legal requirements and FAIR and secure data management. EASI-Genomics will provide fully funded access to more than 150 transnational projects selected through public calls and a rigorous, fair, and transparent peer review process. For more information, visit: https://www.easi-genomics.eu/home
• Duration: 2029-2023
• Funded by: EU – Horizon 2020
• Project partners: Fundacio Centre de Regulacio Genomica, Commissariat a L'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives, Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, Max Delbrueck Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Society, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Stockholm University, Uppsala University, Kungliga Tekniska Hoegskolan, German Cancer Research Center Heidelberg, Institut National de la Sante et de la Recherche Medicale, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Tartu University, Charite – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, LGC Limited, Qiagen GmbH

• The aim of the project is to establish a biobank infrastructure and a center of excellence in Cyprus within the context of the Cypriot Genome Program. Based on the experience of the European biobank research infrastructure BBMRI-ERIC and the Austrian national biobank node coordinated by the Medical University of Graz, as well as the Biobank Graz, one of the most modern biobanks in Cyprus is to be created. A particular strength of this program is the integration of the biobank with the national e-health platform currently under development, which will make medical data accessible for research purposes. Further information is available at: http://www.ucy.ac.cy/mmrc/en/center-of-excellence
• Duration: 2019-2026
• Funded by: EU - Horizon 2020, Teaming Project
• Project partners: University of Cyprus, Biobanks and Biomolecular Resources Research Infrastructure Consortium (BBMRI-ERIC), RTD Talos Limited

• Highly pathogenic organisms are becoming increasingly relevant as triggers of dangerous infectious diseases and pandemics. ERINHA connects high-security laboratories to form a European research infrastructure. Participation in ERINHA has enabled the Medical University of Graz to set up a BSL-3 laboratory with the highest safety standard currently available in Austria, thus creating the conditions for numerous research projects related to SARS-CoV-2. Further information is available at: https://www.erinha.eu/
• Duration: 2019-2021
• Funded by: EU – Horizon 2020
• Project partners: European Research Infrastructure on Highly Pathogenic Agents, Institut National de la Sante de la Recherche Medicale, Instituto Nacional de Saude Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Folkhalsomyndigheten, Nemzeti Nepegeszsegugyi Kozpont, Istituto Nazionale per le Malattie Infettive Lazzaro Spallanzani-Instituto di Ricovere e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, INSERM Transfert SA, Karolinska Institutet, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Bernhard-Nocht-Institut für Tropenmedizin, ERASMUS Universitair Medisch Centrum Rotterdam

• The project aims to create a repository of around 3 million digitized histological sections. This repository will be used to develop artificial intelligence tools for use in diagnostics. To achieve this goal, the project will first create the infrastructure needed to store, share, and process millions of data sets. We are leading the work package that develops the ethical, legal, and regulatory issues for the development and operation of the platform. Further information is available at: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/945358
• Duration: 2021-2027
• Funded by: EU- IMI
• Project partners: Medical University of Vienna, Stichting Katholieke Universiteit, Linkopings Universitet, The Leeds Teaching Hospitals National Health Service Trust, Universitair Medisch Centrum Utrecht, CSC-Tieteen Tieto Tektniikan Keskus OY, Uppsala Universitet, Fraunhofer Society for the Promotion of Applied Research, Haute Ecole Specialisee de Suisse Occidentale, Technische Universiteit Eindhoven, Azienda Ospedaliera per L'Emergenza Cannizzaro, The University of Warwick, Technische Universität München, Institut Pasteur, Universite de Liege, Semmelweis Egyetem, Stichting het Nederlands Kanker Instituut – Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Ziekenhuis, Biobanks and Biomolecular Resources Research Infrastructure Consortium (BBMRI-ERIC), DIN Deutsches Institut für Normung eV, Ostergotlands Lans Landsting, The European Institute for Innovation through Health Data, Helsingin ja Uudenmaan Sairaanhoitopiirin Kuntayhtymä, Philipps Universitaet Marburg, European Society of Pathology Digital Pathology Association inc, GBG Forschungs GmbH, TTopstart BV, Sectra AB, Cytomine, Stichting Lygature, Owkin France, Deciphex Limited, Phit BV, Time.Lex, Novartis Pharma AG, Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Bayer Aktiengesellschaft, Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Novo Nordisk A/S, Pfizer Ltd, F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG, Sanovi-Aventis Recherche & Developpment, Institut de Recherches Internationales Servier Iris, UCB Biopharma SRL

• Abuja Peter Michael
• Bernasch Anja
• Dagher Georges
• Denk Helmut
• Fackelmann Ulrike
• Faulhammer Philipp
• Föderl-Höbenreich Esther
• Freydl Stephanie
• Glawitsch Lisa
• Groiss Silvia
• Habich Daniel
• Hardt Melina
• Kashofer Karl
• Kicker Eva
• Kufferath Iris.
• Kungl Penelope
• Langner Christine
• Loibner Martina
• Müller Heimo
• Nader Farah
• Pabst Daniela
• Plass Markus
• Reihs Robert
• Rieger Julia
• Schaar Daniela
• Skofler Christina
• Somlapura Meghana
• Stumptner Cornelia
• Ulz Christine Maria
• Wagenthaler Lisa-Marie
• Wolfgruber Stella