Wolfgang F. Graier

Wolfgang F. Graier is a Full Professor at the Institute of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Medical University of Graz, and leads the Gottfried Schatz Research Center for Cell Signaling, Metabolism and Aging. He also serves as CEO of Next Generation Fluorescence Imaging (NGFI) and heads the Nikon Center of Excellence for Super-Resolution Microscopy at BioTechMed Graz.

Education:

• Pharmacy, University of Graz (1981-1988)
• PhD in Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Graz (1988-1991)

His research spans mitochondrial Ca²⁺ signaling, spatiotemporal signal transduction in endothelial cells under pathological conditions (diabetes, lipotoxicity), and metabolic flexibility. Methodologically, he pioneers fluorescent sensors for ATP dynamics, ER Ca²⁺ content, and mitochondrial protein modifications.

Current projects within DK-MCD focus on UCP2-based anticancer/senolytic peptides, structured illumination microscopy applications, and spatial heterogeneity of mitochondrial Ca²⁺ uptake in cardiomyocytes. Students under his mentorship investigate topics ranging from β-cell metabolism to vascular aging.

Roles:

• Chair of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry (2009-)
• Head of Research Unit for Molecular and Cellular Physiology (2006-)
• Head of Gottfried Schatz Research Center (2018-)
• CEO of NGFI (2015-)