Austria Graz

Medical University of Graz

Otto Loewi Research Center

Brief overview

At the Otto Loewi Research Center of Medical University of Graz, different chronic respiratory and pulmonary diseases are investigated with a focus on the different functional compartments such as airways (asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), interstitium (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, fibrosis and cancer) and vascular bed (pulmonary hypertension).

By identifying parallels and differences between various chronic pulmonary diseases and decoding the interaction between certain structural and immune cells, we aim to develop new diagnostic and therapeutic concepts.

Research areas

Cell biology/ Epithelial cell/ Microbiology/ Molecular biology/ Pulmonary hypertension

Host center eligibility

Global fellowships (return phase only)/European fellowships

Research infrastructure/facilities

The Center for Medical Research (ZMF) at the Medical University of Graz provides a first class biomedical research infrastructure. The Center comprises well-equipped laboratory and office space catering for cutting edge basic and applied biomedical research and clinical research.

Core Facilities (Imaging, Clinical Trials Unit, computational Bioanalytics, Mass Spectrometry, Molecular Biology, Ultrastructure Analysis, Prototyping & Construction, Structural Biology) run up-to-date equipment and permanent staff provide assistance to investigators.

The Medical University of Graz runs one of the largest biobanks in Europe and plays a leading role in the European Union’s endeavour to build up a harmonized biobanking infrastructure across Europe

Research funding/resources

The Lung Research Cluster is located at the Medical University of Graz with multiple researchers collaborating in an embedded Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Lung Vascular Research. Several national (FWF) and international (EU) funded projects are located in this research center. A research focus of the Otto Loewi Research Center is on chronic respiratory and pulmonary diseases.

In addition, the center is involved in collaborations with clinical, international and industrial research partners in the field of respiratory diseases. The Medical University of Graz has an office dedicated to supporting researchers with the acquisition of funding opportunities.

Links to non-academic sector

Graz provides an excellent infrastructure and support for innovation and start-ups. Science Park Graz with its powerful support structure, as well as many years of experience of a dedicated team, has now transformed over 150 high-tech projects in the start-up phase into flourishing companies.

The Gründungsgarage is the local academic start-up accelerator and provides different programmes to advance and support business ideas.

The Entrepreneurship Center Network (ECN) is the interdisciplinary entrepreneurship network of Austrian universities and universities of applied sciences. The ECN promotes and supports entrepreneurial thinking and action and is committed to cross-university networking.

Experience hosting international researchers, career development & training programmes, outreach activities

The Research Center has extensive experience in hosting international scientists (PhD students, postdocs). PhD programs for international scientists such as Advanced Medical Biomarker Research (AMBRA), Biomolecular Structures and Interactions (BioMolStruct), Inflammatory Disorders in Pregnancy (DP-iDP), Metabolic and Cardiovascular Disease (DK-MCD), Molecular Inflammation (DK-MOLIN), Molecular Medicine (MolMed) are conducted in English and serve the career development of PhD students.

In addition, the Medical University of Graz has established the doctoral program “Immune Modulation in Respiratory Diseases” (RESPImmun) for the targeted research and training in the field of respiratory diseases.

The International Office provides support in all matters related to incoming and outgoing mobility. Its Welcome Center advises Med Uni Graz students and staff as well as international guests concerning their stays abroad or in Graz.

Furthermore, the Research Management at Med Uni Graz supports scientists in the acquisition of research funding and provides advice on issues concerning intellectual property.

HR Excellence in Research – EU award

Yes

Contacts

Links