Reingard Grabherr

Reingard Grabherr is a full Professor of Molecular Biotechnology at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU), affiliated with the Institute of Molecular Biotechnology within the Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences. She has been a leading figure in biotechnological research since her appointment as professor in 2017 and previously served as Head of the Department of Biotechnology.

Her research focuses on molecular biotechnology, particularly in the areas of recombinant protein expression, virus-like particle (VLP) vaccines, glycosylation engineering, and genetic modification of lactic acid bacteria. She utilizes advanced systems such as the baculovirus expression platform and Escherichia coli for biopharmaceutical production. Her work bridges fundamental enzymology—especially in mollusc glycosyltransferases—with applied goals in vaccine development and gene therapy.

Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong trend toward vaccine design, particularly using VLPs for influenza and other pathogens, optimization of viral vector production (AAV, baculovirus), and glycoengineering in non-mammalian systems. Her group actively explores inducible expression systems, CRISPR-based tools, and process control in biomanufacturing.

Her scientific excellence has been recognized with multiple awards:

• BOKU Inventor of the Year (2019)
• HOUSKA Prize 1st Place (2014)
• INITS First Prize (Wilde, Krammer, Mairhofer)
• ÖGMBT Research Prize (2011)
• APART Scholarship (1998)
• Science2business recognition (2008, 2007)

She has supervised numerous master’s and doctoral theses, mentoring students in diverse areas of molecular biotechnology. Her research has been supported by major grants from the Austrian Science Fund (FWF), Christian Doppler Society, and FFG. She leads or has led projects such as the CD Laboratory for Genetically Engineered Lactic Acid Bacteria and the CD Laboratory for Knowledge-Based Production of Gene Therapy Vectors.

Grabherr is actively involved in scientific dissemination, giving lectures at international conferences and contributing to public understanding of science, including commentary on the Covid-19 antibody test and vaccines.