Andreas Villunger

Andreas Villunger is Professor of Developmental Immunology and Director of the Institute of Developmental Immunology at the Innsbruck Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck. He also conducts research at the CeMM (Research Center for Molecular Medicine) in Vienna.

Education:

• Studied microbiology at the Universities of Salzburg and Innsbruck
• Research stay in Melbourne, Australia

Prof. Villunger is an internationally renowned expert in cell death within the immune system, with critical implications for cancer development and therapy. His ERC-funded research investigates the interplay between cell death and cell cycle machinery, and the role of the PIDDosome complex in sterile inflammatory processes. His work bridges developmental immunology, autoimmunity, and inflammatory disease mechanisms.

Scientific Awards:

• START Prize from the Austrian Science Fund (FWF)

His research program receives substantial support from the European Research Council, reflecting its significance in advancing immunological understanding and therapeutic applications. As Director of the Institute of Developmental Immunology, he leads collaborative research efforts at the Innsbruck Biocenter focused on immune system development and function.