Iris K. Gratz

Dr. Iris K. Gratz leads the AG Gratz research group within the Department of Biosciences and Medical Biology at the University of Salzburg's Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences. Her laboratory is physically located in rooms E-1.034, E-1.026, and E-1.020 at Hellbrunner Straße 34, 5020 Salzburg.

Dr. Gratz's research program focuses on understanding the role of T cells and their interaction with structural cells in the skin across multiple pathological contexts. Her work spans autoimmunity, wound healing, and cancer immunology, with particular emphasis on how immune cells interact with skin tissue. She employs advanced methodologies including organotypic 3D skin cultures and unique humanized mouse models to investigate fundamental mechanisms of tissue immune regulation.

Analysis of her recent publications reveals a consistent focus on cutaneous T cell biology, particularly resident memory T cells and their role in skin immunity. Her research bridges basic immunological mechanisms with translational applications for chronic inflammatory skin diseases and skin cancer. Key methodological innovations include novel humanized mouse models for studying human cutaneous T cells in vivo.

Dr. Gratz participates in several significant research networks including the International PhD Programme 'Immunity in Cancer and Allergy', the FWF-funded SFB-F70 program 'HDACs as regulators of T cell-mediated immunity in health and disease', collaboration with EB-Haus Austria (a competence center for Epidermolysis Bullosa), and the Cancer Cluster Salzburg. Her work is integrated within the 'Allergy-Cancer-BioNano Research Centre' at the University of Salzburg.