Markus Teige is a researcher at the Max Perutz Labs, affiliated with the Faculty of Life Sciences at the University of Vienna, in the Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology. His work focuses on plant stress tolerance, calcium signaling, chloroplast development, protein phosphorylation, and organelle signaling networks. Current projects include Molecular mechanisms of plant stress tolerance (2021–2025) and Calcium regulation of chloroplast development & function (ongoing). Past projects include Auswirkungen von Virusinfektionen auf die Kalziumhomöostase (2020–2022). Research trends from his 62 publications emphasize calcium signaling in plant antiviral defense, chloroplast stress responses, and integrated multi-omics approaches to abiotic stress in crops like potato. His work bridges organelle physiology with whole-plant stress adaptation. Teige collaborates internationally on plant signaling and systems biology, contributing to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to climate-resilient agriculture and stress biology.
Bojan Zagrovic is a Professor at the Department of Structural and Computational Biology , University of Vienna. His research focuses on the interplay between protein structure, RNA interactions, and molecular dynamics, particularly in phase separation, enzyme mechanisms, and disease-related mutations. Key research areas: Structural Biology, Computational Biophysics, RNA-Protein Interactions, Phase Separation, and Protein Aggregation. Recent work includes studying FUS RGG3 phase separation, α-mannosidase pathophysiology, and SPOC domain interactions. His publications span molecular dynamics simulations, RNA modifications (e.g., N6-methyladenosine), and structural insights into ciliary proteins like CFAP410. He teaches courses in computational structural biology, molecular biophysics, and quantitative biology.
Alan R. Fersht is a distinguished academic and researcher, currently serving as the Herchel Smith Professor of Organic Chemistry at the University of Cambridge. He has held significant roles such as Director of the MRC Centre for Protein Engineering and Director of the MRC Unit for Protein Function and Design. His research focuses on protein folding, molecular biology, and structural biology, with contributions to understanding protein misfolding in diseases like cancer. Fersht's work integrates biochemical, biophysical, and computational methods to study protein dynamics and chaperone mechanisms. Key honors include Fellowship of the Royal Society (1983), the Copley Medal (2020), and membership in multiple prestigious academies. His awards span decades, recognizing his contributions to biochemistry, structural biology, and protein engineering. Fersht's publications explore protein folding pathways, molecular chaperones (e.g., GroEL), and the thermodynamics of protein stability. His research interests include protein design, folding initiation sites, and the role of electrostatic interactions in folding. Notable studies on barnase-barstar interactions and chaperone-assisted folding highlight his experimental and theoretical approaches to understanding protein behavior. Fersht's work bridges fundamental research and applications in biotechnology and medicine.
Kristina Djinovic Carugo is a Full Professor of Structural Biology at the University of Vienna , affiliated with the Department of Structural and Computational Biology at Max F. Perutz Laboratories. Her career spans leadership roles including Head of Department (since 2009), Director of the Laura Bassi Center for Optimized Structural Studies (2010-2016), and Head of Structural Biology and Crystallography Unit at Sincrotrone Trieste (1999-2004). Education : PhD in Chemistry (1992, University of Ljubljana); Master's (1989, University of Ljubljana); Diploma in Chemistry (1986, University of Ljubljana) Her research focuses on structure-function analysis of metallo-enzymes involved in cellular protection, structural biology of actin-based cytoskeleton with emphasis on muscle Z-disk assembly, and X-ray induced radiation damage in protein crystals. Key techniques include X-ray crystallography, cryo-EM, and integrative structural approaches. Recent work explores liquid-liquid phase separation in sarcomeric Z-disc formation, Filamin C regulation by HSPB7 , and automated structural analysis tools like chalcogen bond detection in AlphaFold models. She has contributed to understanding protein interactions in hemidesmosomes, sarcomere mechanics, and redox-sensitive structural dynamics. Scientific Recognition : EMBO long-term postdoctoral fellowship (1995) Laura Bassi Center of Expertise (2010) EMBO member (2016) Her institutional roles include appointment committee memberships for tenure-track and professorship positions at Austrian universities and leadership in the Protein Technology Facilities user committee. Publications span high-impact journals including Science Advances, Cell, and PNAS, with over 145 peer-reviewed papers and an H-index of 44.
Christoph Rosinger is a researcher at the Institute of Agronomy (iPBAU) within the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU). His work focuses on soil microbiology, conservation farming, and carbon-nutrient dynamics in agricultural and forest soils. Research Themes: Soil organic carbon stabilization, microbial community responses to amendments, and agricultural pollution mitigation using struvite/zeolites Methodologies: On-farm studies, multi-model simulations, and biogeochemical stoichiometry analysis Publication Trends emphasize microbial pathways in carbon sequestration, amendment effects on nutrient cycling, and seasonal soil processes. Recent work explores AI vs. process-based modeling for SOC prediction and volcanic ash pedogenesis. Earlier studies address subtropical soil nutrient limitations and post-disturbance fungal dynamics.
Dr. Mathias Mayer is a Lecturer at ETH Zurich since 2023, with prior postdoctoral roles at WSL (2020-2023) and BOKU Vienna. His research focuses on carbon and nutrient cycling in forest ecosystems, emphasizing soil microbial communities (particularly fungi) and their roles in plant-soil interactions. Mayer's work examines disturbances like windthrow, bark beetle infestations, logging, and climate change impacts across European Alps, Dinarian Mountains, Northern Scandinavia, and Himalayan forests. Key Research Areas: Forest disturbance ecology, mycorrhizal symbiosis, carbon flux modeling, microbial biogeochemistry Methodologies: Stable isotope analysis, DNA-based techniques, field experiments, meta-analyses His recent publications reveal trends in post-disturbance carbon dynamics, fungal community shifts following windthrow, and interactions between defoliation events and soil processes. Mayer has received multiple awards including the UV-Forschungsstipendium (2019) and Walter Kubiena Forschungspreis (2017). Scientific Awards: UV-Forschungsstipendium - Dissertation (2019) Förderungspreis der Stiftung 120 Jahre Universität für Bodenkultur (2017) Walter Kubiena - Forschungspreis (2017) Dr.in Wilfrieda Lindner Wissenschaftspreis (2014) Topstipendium für Niederösterreich (2010) Mayer actively contributes as reviewer for journals like New Phytologist and Functional Ecology , and has chaired sessions at EGU General Assembly (2021) and GfÖ conferences (2018). His work bridges field experiments with computational modeling across alpine and boreal forest systems.
Michael Zumstein is an Assistant Professor for Biotransformation at the Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, Department of Environmental Geosciences, University of Vienna. His research group investigates the biotransformation and biodegradation of anthropogenic organic chemicals in natural and engineered environments, combining techniques from environmental analytical chemistry and molecular biology. His research focuses on: Water-soluble polymers important for home and personal care products Biomolecules as alternatives to conventional pharmaceuticals and pesticides Enzymatic processes in wastewater systems Development of biodegradable chemicals Professor Zumstein leads multiple research projects including: Cluster of Excellence: Microbiomes Drive Planetary Health Biodegradation of Water-Soluble Polymers in Engineered and Natural Aquatic Environments (collaboration with BASF SE) Exploring Extracellular Enzymes from Wastewater Microbial Communities Biotransformation of Biopesticides in Agricultural Soils He has received the Ambizione Fellowship from the Swiss National Science Foundation to investigate peptide-based antibiotics in wastewater systems. His research group includes several PhD students and researchers working on environmental biotechnology projects.
Manuela Baccarini is Vice-Rector for Research and International Affairs at the University of Vienna and a Corresponding Member of the Division of Mathematics and Natural Sciences in Austria since 2010. She is affiliated with the Max Perutz Labs Vienna, a leading institution for mechanistic biomedical research. Academic Rank: Professor Research Areas: Cell biology, Molecular biology, Cancer research, and Signal Transduction Her work focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms governing cell signaling pathways, particularly RAS/RAF/ERK dynamics in cancer development and stem cell regulation. Recent studies highlight her contributions to Raf-1's dual role in tumor suppression and Ras-driven carcinogenesis. Scientific accolades include fellowships from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation and the National Cancer Institute New York. She has mentored numerous students and researchers at the Max Perutz Labs, which celebrate 20 years of transformative basic research in 2025.
Elke H. Heiß is an Associate Professor at the University of Vienna , affiliated with the Faculty of Life Sciences and the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Division of Pharmacognosy . Her research focuses on molecular mechanisms of natural products in cellular stress resistance, redox balance regulation, and metabolic immunomodulation. Key research areas include: AMPK-Nrf2 signaling crosstalk in cellular homeostasis Impact of biogenic compounds on glucose homeostasis and cellular bioenergetics Metabolic regulation of macrophage polarization Molecular pharmacology of indirubin derivatives in cardiovascular disease Current projects investigate: FWF Project P33778 (2021-2026): AMPK-mediated phosphorylation of Nrf2 targets FWF Project P32600 (2019-2024): Metabolic immunomodulation by natural products FWF Project P29392 (2016-2019): AMPK-Nrf2 interactions in stress response Her work combines chemical biology approaches with metabolic profiling to uncover novel therapeutic strategies for chronic diseases and aging-related conditions.
Nadiia Gumerova , PhD, is a researcher at the Institute of Biophysical Chemistry under the Faculty of Chemistry at the University of Vienna , Austria. Her work focuses on polyoxometalate chemistry, including targeted synthesis, structural analysis, and biomedical applications. She has published extensively on aqueous speciation, metal-substituted polyoxometalates, and their interactions with proteins and biological systems. PhD in Inorganic Chemistry (2014), Donetsk National University Post-doctoral fellow (2019–present), University of Vienna Lise Meitner fellow (2017–2019), University of Vienna Her research interests encompass polyoxometalate design, structural transformations in biological environments, and development of bioactive materials. Recent work includes studies on vanadate-protein interactions, antibiotic activity of Preyssler-type clusters, and enzyme inhibition by polyoxotungstates. Publications (15 most recent) highlight trends in polyoxometalate speciation under varying ionic strengths, biomedical applications of Anderson-Evans and Keggin-type derivatives, and structural insights into metal-substituted tungsten clusters. Keywords span Inorganic Chemistry , Biochemistry , and Materials Science . Grants include the FWF Meitner Program M2203 (2017–2019) and FWF Stand-Alone Project P33927 (2021–2023). She collaborates with the RompelLab and contributes to interdisciplinary projects applying inorganic chemistry in biological contexts.
Wolfgang Wanek is a Professor at the Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, Department of Microbiology and Ecosystem Science. His research focuses on soil biogeochemistry, microbial ecology, nitrogen and phosphorus cycling, tropical and temperate forest ecosystems, and the impacts of global change on ecosystems. He has led multiple research projects, including studies on soil organic matter dynamics, microbial necromass estimation, and the effects of climate anomalies on tree growth. Key research themes include nutrient cycling in soils, plant-microbe interactions, and the application of isotopic techniques to trace element fluxes. Wanek has contributed to over 265 publications and actively participates in international conferences, such as the European Geosciences Union (EGU) meetings. His work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals related to climate action and life on land. Recent projects include investigating the effects of moss leachates on soil organic matter dynamics (2022–2026) and exploring the impacts of global warming on forest soil processes (2019–2022). He collaborates with global institutions, contributing to studies on tropical forest dynamics, soil carbon sequestration, and microbial community responses to environmental stressors.
James Barber was the Ernst Chain Professor of Biochemistry at Imperial College London, serving as Head of the Department of Biochemistry (1989–1999) and Director of the Centre for Photomolecular Sciences. His research focused on photosynthesis, particularly the structural and functional mechanisms of Photosystem II (PSII), culminating in the first atomic structure determination of the oxygen-evolving complex. He held visiting professorships at institutions like Nanyang Technological University (Singapore) and Politecnico di Torino (Italy), advancing artificial photosynthesis research for solar fuel production. Education: B.Sc. (Wales), M.Sc. & Ph.D. (University of East Anglia), postdoctoral fellowships at Leiden University. Awards include Royal Society Fellowship, Flintoff Medal, and Italgas Prize. Key contributions include elucidating water-splitting mechanisms in PSII and pioneering biomimetic solar energy solutions. Publications (600+ papers, H-index 72) and lectures span international venues, emphasizing solar fuels and interdisciplinary approaches. Notable collaborations include development of Cu-Mo sulfide catalysts and hematite-based photoanodes for hydrogen production.
Prof. Manuela Schmidt is a faculty member at the University of Vienna, affiliated with the Faculty of Life Sciences and the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences. Her research focuses on modern systems biology pain research and biomedical applications, primarily conducted in her laboratory. She supervises Master's theses with limited availability, requiring applications between January 1–31, 2025, and coordinates both experimental and literature-based thesis opportunities. Her work spans bioinformatics, computational biology, and phylogenetics, with significant contributions to maximum likelihood phylogenetic methods and software development (e.g., IQ-TREE). Research trends include evolutionary biology, molecular biology, and applications of machine learning in phylogenetic analysis. Additional interests involve environmental microbiology and developmental genetics. For contact, email manuela_schmidt@univie.ac.at. Her lab is located at UZA II, Josef-Holaubek-Platz 2, A-1090 Vienna, Austria (phone: +43-1-4277-55301).
Professor Alexandra Lusser serves as Professor and Deputy Head in the Department of Molecular Biology at Innsbruck Medical University, where she leads the Chromatin and Epigenetics Laboratory. Her research focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms of chromatin assembly, remodeling, and epigenetic regulation at both DNA and RNA levels. Professor Lusser completed her PhD at the University of Innsbruck in 1998, followed by postdoctoral training at the University of California, San Diego (2001-2004) in the laboratory of Professor JT Kadonaga. She joined Innsbruck Medical University as Assistant Professor in 2004, achieved her Habilitation for Molecular Biology in 2008, was promoted to Associate Professor, and became a full Professor in 2019. Her research program investigates how eukaryotic DNA is organized in chromatin and how this organization affects DNA metabolism processes including transcription, replication, repair, and recombination. A significant portion of her work examines ATP-dependent chromatin assembly and remodeling mechanisms, variant histone assembly, and epigenetic mechanisms at the mRNA level, particularly mRNA base modifications such as 5-methylcytosine and their roles in mRNA metabolism and translation. Her publications reveal a strong focus on developing and applying innovative biochemical and genomic techniques to study RNA modifications and chromatin dynamics. Professor Lusser's extensive publication record spanning from 1996 to the present demonstrates consistent contributions to the fields of chromatin biology and RNA epigenetics. Her recent work shows particular emphasis on developing novel sequencing methods for RNA modification analysis, exploring the functional consequences of RNA modifications, and investigating the relationship between chromatin remodeling factors and neurological functions. HOECHST Award (1998) APART 3-year postdoctoral fellowship from the Austrian Academy of Sciences (2001) START Prize from the Ministry of Science and Research (2005) Member of the Young Curia of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (2008-2016) Research Award from the State Capital Innsbruck (2009) As Deputy Head of the Department of Molecular Biology, Professor Lusser contributes to departmental leadership while maintaining an active research program. Her laboratory has developed several important methodologies including TUC-Seq for measuring mRNA transcription and degradation rates, bisulfite sequencing for detecting 5-methylcytosine in RNA, and other innovative approaches for studying RNA modifications. Her work bridges molecular biology, biochemistry, and genomics, with implications for understanding fundamental biological processes and potential applications in disease research.
Martino Bolognesi is a Professor of Biochemistry at the Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Italy. Previously, he held academic positions at the University of Genova (Professor of Biophysics, 1991-2004) and the University of Pavia (Associate Professor of Biophysical Chemistry, 1979-1991). His career spans over four decades, with a focus on structural biology and biophysics, and has trained numerous scholars who are now prominent structural biologists globally. Education: PhD in Biochemistry (1974-1978), University of Pavia, Italy Chemistry Degree (1969-1974), University of Pavia, Italy Prof. Bolognesi's research is centered on determining protein structures through X-ray crystallography and computational simulations. His work encompasses metallo-proteins, enzymes, viral proteins, and proteins implicated in cancer, contributing over 400 publications and 220 Protein Data Bank entries. He pioneered structural biology in Italy, establishing labs and training programs across multiple universities. His scientific contributions have been recognized by membership in prestigious academies, including Accademia dei Lincei (2012) and Academia Europaea (2011). He has also served on international science advisory committees and review panels, and currently acts as Associate Editor for journals like Protein Science and Biological Chemistry . Throughout his career, Prof. Bolognesi has delivered lectures at academic and private institutions across 15+ countries, significantly influencing global structural biology research. His leadership roles include Deputy Director of the Department of Biosciences at the University of Milan since 2012.
