Research for Health at the University of Graz

Karl Gruber investigates the structures of biological macromolecules and their dynamic interactions. One of his goals is to produce enzyme variants with customized properties. Learning much more about these, for example, can support the development of medications. To study these properties effectively, it’s necessary to identify similarities in the protein structures. The researchers use novel computer algorithms to do so, detecting binding pockets in the molecules. Understanding how these pockets really work helps researchers to better predict medication side effects.

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Chemical reactions require a lot of raw materials and energy, and often result in by-products that are harmful for the environment. One way to reduce costs and minimise pollutants could be the use of natural enzymes. Wolfgang Kroutil and his team are investigating how chemical processes can be influenced, advanced and made sustainable through the use of biocatalysts. This is known as biocatalysis.

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Whether spiritual self-discovery or calculated calorie reduction – fasting is now a global trend. But does regularly skipping meals make you healthier, younger and happier? The effect of fasting on an individual’s health is one of Frank Madeo’s specialties, one of the world’s most cited researchers on ageing. His research group found that the substance spermidine, which aside from being found in human sperm is also present in certain foods, triggers the cell repair process called autophagy. Spermidine protects the heart and brain and may be useful in future in treating diseases and disorders related to ageing.

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Monika Oberer investigates how proteins work in cells at the molecular level. The goal is to gain a better understanding of how the metabolism of fats (lipids) works. The focus is to decipher the relationship between the structures and the biological functions of involved proteins. Disturbances in the lipid balance can lead to a broad spectrum of disorders - from obesity and cardiovascular disease to certain types of cancers. The research results form the basis for developing new therapeutic approaches.

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The infection biologist Stefan Schild’s research focuses on the strategies the cholera bacterium has developed to adapt to environmental conditions. The Vibrio cholerae pathogen is the perfect example of bacteria that cause diarrhoeal diseases since it can exist in and around the human intestine and it can also be genetically manipulated. The goal is to facilitate the development of new vaccine candidates and thereby contribute to drug-based prevention initiatives in countries in which cholera remains a deadly disease.

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Our health depends on a tight balance between how much energy we take in and how much we expend. A disbalance in lipid metabolism makes us either obese or morbidly thin. Known as cachexia, this latter condition is often a secondary symptom of cancer. Molecular biologist Martina Schweiger is studying what puts the lipid metabolism out of kilter, what this means for our health and how research is helping our metabolism back onto its feet.

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Proteins are in constant exchange – either with one another or with other molecules within the cell. It is only through this interplay that they take effect. Ulrich Stelzl is researching this complex interaction with a special focus on those proteins in cells that send out signals in response to certain stimuli. One of his goals is to better understand the genetic differences between these interactions and their influence on diseases.

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Rudolf Zechner and his team gained international recognition for their discovery of adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) as essential enzyme for the breakdown of fat. The Zechner laboratory also found that ATGL requires an activator protein called CGI-58. The team demonstrated a direct link between lipid catabolism and cancer-associated cachexia, a life-threatening wasting condition caused by the loss of fat and muscle mass. Additionally, they established a crucial role of ATGL for normal cardiac function. For his outstanding research achievements, Zechner received the Wittgenstein Award and the Louis-Jeantet Prize for Medicine

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There are still no reliable treatments for certain types of aggressive cancers, such as malignant melanoma, also known as skin cancer. Together with her colleagues, Dagmar Zweytick of the Institute of Molecular Biosciences researches new drugs to treat aggressive forms of cancer with minimal side effects. Her research exploits one of the body’s own defence mechanisms that can trigger natural cellular death in cancerous cells. The substance, which has been patented, is undergoing further examination in collaboration with an Austrian-American consortium.

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