Wilfried Ellmeier

Wilfried Ellmeier is a Professor of Immunobiology and Head of the Institute of Immunology at the Medical University of Vienna. He is a Corresponding Member of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (Division of Mathematics and Natural Sciences) since 2012, with a focus on epigenetic and transcriptional mechanisms governing T cell development, function, and T cell-mediated immunity. His work bridges immunology, molecular biology, and translational medicine, particularly in autoimmune diseases and lymphomagenesis.

• Education: Biochemistry (Diploma, University of Vienna, 1990), Molecular Pathology (PhD, University of Vienna/IMP, 1994), Postdoctoral studies (Skirball Institute/NYU Medical Center, 1995–1999)

His research centers on histone deacetylases (HDACs) as key regulators of T cell immunity in health and disease, including autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and intestinal inflammation. His lab employs multi-color flow cytometry, mouse genetics, next-gen sequencing, and immunometabolic approaches to dissect these mechanisms.

Recent publications highlight HDAC1 as a therapeutic target in arthritis, immunomodulatory effects of bile acids like 24-Nor-ursodeoxycholic acid, epigenetic control of Treg/Th17 differentiation, and metabolic reprogramming of CAR T cells. These reflect his contributions to immunometabolism and precision therapy.

• Scientific Awards: START-Preis (FWF), Novartis-Preis für Biologie, APART Stipendium, Förderungspreis der Stadt Wien, Habilitation Prize from VFWF

Ellmeier leads the FWF-funded SFB-F70 ‘HIT’ program (since 2019) and chairs the Austrian Society for Allergology and Immunology (ÖGAI, 2023–2024). His lab homepage at ellmeierlab.org details collaborative projects in T cell biology and European biomedical policy.