In June 2026, Med Uni Graz and Fulbright Austria concluded a new cooperation: starting with the 2028/29 academic year, the “Fulbright Austria–Med Uni Graz Visiting Professor” will be announced annually. The aim is to bring outstanding researchers from the United States to Graz for teaching, joint projects, and long-term partnerships. The ceremonial launch took place on June 11 during a Fulbright event at the University of Innsbruck. Representing Med Uni Graz, Heidrun Mörtl (Office for Excellence Development & Internationalization) participated and, together with Fulbright Chair Barbara Weitgruber, completed the final steps.
The visiting professorship is aimed at scholars from the United States who wish to flexibly combine teaching and research. The language of instruction is English. The program is deliberately broad in scope and open to a wide range of topics from foundational and preclinical areas as well as interfaces to clinical application. The focus is on high-quality teaching for master’s and doctoral students and on active participation in research initiatives at Med Uni Graz, ideally including co-supervision, joint projects, and publications.
This partnership strengthens the university’s internationalization, increases external visibility, and brings fresh momentum to teaching and research. The close integration with University Hospital Graz and the available research infrastructures create excellent conditions for productive visits and sustainable collaboration. At the same time, the program fosters knowledge exchange across disciplines and supports the expansion of international networks.
Colleagues who wish to bring a candidate to Graz can already lay the groundwork. First, clarify within your team which teaching and research priorities you want to advance strategically and how a visiting stay can support these goals. Then proactively approach suitable colleagues at U.S. universities, present Med Uni Graz’s strengths and points of connection, and invite them to apply. Jointly outlining potential teaching formats and project ideas increases the persuasiveness of an application and lays the foundation for sustainable cooperation.
The first call is planned for spring 2027 and refers to the 2028/29 academic year. We will share publication details and next steps in due time via Med Uni Graz channels.
For questions, advice, and internal coordination, the central contact person at Med Uni Graz is:
Heidrun Mörtl
Office for Excellence Development & Internationalization
heidrun.moertl@medunigraz.at
We invite all units to actively seize this opportunity to bring international top talent to Graz—for inspiring teaching, strong research, and long-term partnerships.
Photos: Adrian Almasan | www.adrianalmasan.com
","start":null,"end":null,"author":null,"email":null,"keywords":null,"description":null,"topnews":false,"last_modified":"2026-07-31T14:48:09+02:00","language":6},{"id":16062,"url":"https://www.medunigraz.at/news/detail/opinion-lab-manuela-hoedl-im-interview-auf-oe1#sl-content","media":[{"id":85462,"media":{"url":"https://api-test.medunigraz.at/typo3/media/72163/","original":"https://www.medunigraz.at/frontend/user_upload/themen-pr/audios/ORF/Opinion-Lab-OE1-Moment_01.mp3","mimetype":"audio/mpeg","filename":"Opinion-Lab-OE1-Moment_01.mp3","size":25002986},"title":null,"description":null,"alternative":null}],"gallery":[],"contact_box":[],"breadcrumb":[{"uid":61,"pid":8139,"title":"News-Storage","is_siteroot":false,"domains":[],"uri":null},{"uid":8139,"pid":0,"title":"Med Uni Graz","is_siteroot":true,"domains":["www.medunigraz.at"],"uri":"https://www.medunigraz.at/"}],"categories":[9,14,268,271,275,287],"groups":[],"related_links":[{"id":4097,"datetime":"2026-08-05T07:55:49+02:00","title":"Ö1","description":null,"url":"https://oe1.orf.at/"},{"id":4098,"datetime":"2026-08-05T07:55:49+02:00","title":"Manuela Hödl","description":null,"url":"https://ris.medunigraz.at/en/persons/manuela-h%C3%B6dl-2/"}],"related_media":[],"header_image":{"url":"https://api-test.medunigraz.at/typo3/media/71456/","original":"https://www.medunigraz.at/frontend/user_upload/events_news/_sujets/gesundheit/pflege/pflege-AdobeStock_279243496_Prasit_Rodphan.jpg","mimetype":"image/jpeg","filename":"pflege-AdobeStock_279243496_Prasit_Rodphan.jpg","size":5458150},"datetime":"2026-07-23T07:54:58+02:00","title":"Opinion Lab: An interview with Manuela Hödl on Ö1","teaser":"In an interview with Jonathan Scheucher, the nursing researcher talks about the innovative project.","body":"Nursing science carried out directly amongst and with people: this is what the Opinion Lab stands for – an FWF-funded project run by the Institute of Nursing and Health Sciences at the Medical University of Graz. Together with the residents of the Caritas St Peter Care Home, the Opinion Lab team has developed a toolkit focused on non-pharmacological pain management. Together with the residents, a series of measures were tested and documented, designed to help alleviate pain without the use of medication.
Jonathan Scheucher took a look at the project as part of the Ö1 series “Moment”. You can listen to the programme here (in German):
","start":null,"end":null,"author":null,"email":null,"keywords":null,"description":null,"topnews":false,"last_modified":"2026-08-05T07:55:55+02:00","language":6},{"id":16048,"url":"https://www.medunigraz.at/news/detail/internationale-auszeichnung-fuer-den-campus-der-med-uni-graz#sl-content","media":[],"gallery":[],"contact_box":[],"breadcrumb":[{"uid":61,"pid":8139,"title":"News-Storage","is_siteroot":false,"domains":[],"uri":null},{"uid":8139,"pid":0,"title":"Med Uni Graz","is_siteroot":true,"domains":["www.medunigraz.at"],"uri":"https://www.medunigraz.at/"}],"categories":[9,14,266,314,315],"groups":[],"related_links":[{"id":4094,"datetime":"2026-07-21T10:06:28+02:00","title":"Campus of the Med Uni Graz","description":null,"url":"https://www.medunigraz.at/themen-universitaet/universitaetscampus"}],"related_media":[],"header_image":{"url":"https://api-test.medunigraz.at/typo3/media/72146/","original":"https://www.medunigraz.at/frontend/user_upload/events_news/202607/Campus-der-Med-Uni-Graz.jpg","mimetype":"image/jpeg","filename":"Campus-der-Med-Uni-Graz.jpg","size":875207},"datetime":"2026-07-21T07:00:00+02:00","title":"International award for the Graz Medical University campus","teaser":"2nd place in the International Union of Architects’ (UIA) International Innovative Design for Health Award.","body":"Our campus was awarded second prize at the International Innovative Design for Health Award organised by the International Union of Architects (UIA). This international award recognises outstanding architectural projects that combine innovation in healthcare, sustainability and people’s well-being in a unique way.
This honour underscores the high quality of the Med Uni Campus Graz as a forward-looking centre for research, teaching and work. The project, designed by Riegler Riewe Architekten, particularly impressed the international expert jury with its holistic concept and sustainable approach.
Particular praise was given to the climate-responsive building design, which makes optimal use of natural light and fresh air, as well as the campus-wide layout that promotes interaction, communication and collaboration. The jury also commended the successful integration of medical research, teaching, clinical processes and communal areas on a single inner-city campus.
The Med Uni Campus Graz also sets new standards in the areas of sustainability and social responsibility. With ÖGNI/DGNB Platinum certification, a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, accessible facilities and a campus concept geared towards sustainable mobility, the project meets the highest quality standards and creates optimal conditions for more than 5,000 students and staff.
A project of this scale is only possible through close and trusting collaboration between all those involved. Our thanks go to the clients – the Federal Real Estate Company (BIG), ZWT GmbH and ZWT Accelerator GmbH and all project partners who contributed to its successful implementation.
This international award recognises the Med Uni Campus as a pioneering example of how architecture, sustainability and healthcare can be combined to create an innovative university campus.
","start":null,"end":null,"author":null,"email":null,"keywords":null,"description":null,"topnews":false,"last_modified":"2026-07-21T10:06:28+02:00","language":6},{"id":16047,"url":"https://www.medunigraz.at/news/detail/internationale-auszeichnung-fuer-den-campus-der-med-uni-graz#sl-content","media":[],"gallery":[],"contact_box":[],"breadcrumb":[{"uid":61,"pid":8139,"title":"News-Storage","is_siteroot":false,"domains":[],"uri":null},{"uid":8139,"pid":0,"title":"Med Uni Graz","is_siteroot":true,"domains":["www.medunigraz.at"],"uri":"https://www.medunigraz.at/"}],"categories":[9,14,266,314,315],"groups":[],"related_links":[{"id":4093,"datetime":"2026-07-21T10:06:28+02:00","title":"Campus der Med Uni Graz","description":null,"url":"https://www.medunigraz.at/themen-universitaet/universitaetscampus"}],"related_media":[],"header_image":{"url":"https://api-test.medunigraz.at/typo3/media/72146/","original":"https://www.medunigraz.at/frontend/user_upload/events_news/202607/Campus-der-Med-Uni-Graz.jpg","mimetype":"image/jpeg","filename":"Campus-der-Med-Uni-Graz.jpg","size":875207},"datetime":"2026-07-21T07:00:00+02:00","title":"Internationale Auszeichnung für den Campus der Med Uni Graz","teaser":"2. Platz beim International Innovative Design for Health Award der International Union of Architects (UIA).","body":"Unser Campus wurde beim International Innovative Design for Health Award der International Union of Architects (UIA) mit dem 2. Preis ausgezeichnet. Die internationale Auszeichnung würdigt herausragende Architekturprojekte, die Innovation im Gesundheitswesen, Nachhaltigkeit und das Wohlbefinden der Menschen in besonderer Weise miteinander verbinden.
Die Ehrung unterstreicht die hohe Qualität des Med Uni Campus Graz als zukunftsweisenden Forschungs-, Lehr- und Arbeitsstandort. Das von Riegler Riewe Architekten geplante Projekt überzeugte die internationale Fachjury insbesondere durch sein ganzheitliches Konzept und seine nachhaltige Ausrichtung.
Besonders hervorgehoben wurden die klimagerechte Gebäudeplanung mit optimaler Nutzung von Tageslicht und Frischluft sowie die campusübergreifende Gestaltung, die Begegnung, Kommunikation und Zusammenarbeit fördert. Ebenso würdigte die Jury die gelungene Verbindung von medizinischer Forschung, Lehre, klinischen Abläufen und Aufenthaltsbereichen auf einem gemeinsamen innerstädtischen Campus.
Auch in den Bereichen Nachhaltigkeit und gesellschaftliche Verantwortung setzt der Med Uni Campus Graz Maßstäbe. Mit der ÖGNI-/DGNB-Platin-Zertifizierung, einer deutlichen Reduktion des Treibhauspotenzials, barrierefreien Zugängen und einem auf sanfte Mobilität ausgerichteten Campuskonzept erfüllt das Projekt höchste Qualitätsstandards und schafft optimale Rahmenbedingungen für mehr als 5.000 Studierende sowie Mitarbeitende.
Ein Projekt dieser Größenordnung ist nur durch eine enge und vertrauensvolle Zusammenarbeit aller Beteiligten möglich. Der Dank gilt den Bauherrinnen und Bauherren – der Bundesimmobiliengesellschaft (BIG), der ZWT GmbH und der ZWT Accelerator GmbH sowie allen Projektpartnerinnen und Projektpartnern, die zur erfolgreichen Umsetzung beigetragen haben.
Die internationale Auszeichnung bestätigt den Med Uni Campus als wegweisendes Beispiel dafür, wie Architektur, Nachhaltigkeit und Gesundheitsversorgung zu einem innovativen Universitätscampus vereint werden können.
","start":null,"end":null,"author":null,"email":null,"keywords":null,"description":null,"topnews":false,"last_modified":"2026-07-21T10:06:28+02:00","language":null},{"id":16043,"url":"https://www.medunigraz.at/news/detail/daniela-schoberer-als-wissenschaftsbotschafterin-am-bg-brg-weiz#sl-content","media":[],"gallery":[{"id":85412,"media":{"url":"https://api-test.medunigraz.at/typo3/media/72144/","original":"https://www.medunigraz.at/frontend/user_upload/events_news/202607/BG/BRG_WEz/IMG_9417.jpeg","mimetype":"image/jpeg","filename":"IMG_9417.jpeg","size":3626770},"title":null,"description":null,"alternative":"Daniela Schoberer als Wissenschaftsbotschafterin der Med Uni Graz am BR/BRG Weiz"},{"id":85413,"media":{"url":"https://api-test.medunigraz.at/typo3/media/72143/","original":"https://www.medunigraz.at/frontend/user_upload/events_news/202607/BG/BRG_WEz/IMG_9418.jpeg","mimetype":"image/jpeg","filename":"IMG_9418.jpeg","size":3373637},"title":null,"description":null,"alternative":"Daniela Schoberer als Wissenschaftsbotschafterin der Med Uni Graz am BR/BRG Weiz"},{"id":85414,"media":{"url":"https://api-test.medunigraz.at/typo3/media/72142/","original":"https://www.medunigraz.at/frontend/user_upload/events_news/202607/BG/BRG_WEz/IMG_9424.jpeg","mimetype":"image/jpeg","filename":"IMG_9424.jpeg","size":3092417},"title":null,"description":null,"alternative":"Daniela Schoberer als Wissenschaftsbotschafterin der Med Uni Graz am BR/BRG Weiz"},{"id":85415,"media":{"url":"https://api-test.medunigraz.at/typo3/media/72141/","original":"https://www.medunigraz.at/frontend/user_upload/events_news/202607/BG/BRG_WEz/IMG_9425.jpeg","mimetype":"image/jpeg","filename":"IMG_9425.jpeg","size":3223907},"title":null,"description":null,"alternative":"Daniela Schoberer als Wissenschaftsbotschafterin der Med Uni Graz am BR/BRG Weiz"},{"id":85416,"media":{"url":"https://api-test.medunigraz.at/typo3/media/72140/","original":"https://www.medunigraz.at/frontend/user_upload/events_news/202607/BG/BRG_WEz/IMG_9439.jpeg","mimetype":"image/jpeg","filename":"IMG_9439.jpeg","size":2930735},"title":null,"description":null,"alternative":"Daniela Schoberer als Wissenschaftsbotschafterin der Med Uni Graz am BR/BRG Weiz"},{"id":85417,"media":{"url":"https://api-test.medunigraz.at/typo3/media/72139/","original":"https://www.medunigraz.at/frontend/user_upload/events_news/202607/BG/BRG_WEz/IMG_9445.jpeg","mimetype":"image/jpeg","filename":"IMG_9445.jpeg","size":3082130},"title":null,"description":null,"alternative":"Daniela Schoberer als Wissenschaftsbotschafterin der Med Uni Graz am BR/BRG Weiz"}],"contact_box":[],"breadcrumb":[{"uid":61,"pid":8139,"title":"News-Storage","is_siteroot":false,"domains":[],"uri":null},{"uid":8139,"pid":0,"title":"Med Uni Graz","is_siteroot":true,"domains":["www.medunigraz.at"],"uri":"https://www.medunigraz.at/"}],"categories":[9,14,266,285,314,315],"groups":[],"related_links":[{"id":4089,"datetime":"2026-07-21T11:58:02+02:00","title":"Wissenschaftsbotschafter der Med Uni Graz","description":null,"url":"https://www.medunigraz.at/wissenschaftsbotschafterinnen"},{"id":4090,"datetime":"2026-07-21T11:58:02+02:00","title":"Daniela Schoberer","description":null,"url":"https://ris.medunigraz.at/de/persons/daniela-schoberer-2/"}],"related_media":[],"header_image":{"url":"https://api-test.medunigraz.at/typo3/media/72140/","original":"https://www.medunigraz.at/frontend/user_upload/events_news/202607/BG/BRG_WEz/IMG_9439.jpeg","mimetype":"image/jpeg","filename":"IMG_9439.jpeg","size":2930735},"datetime":"2026-07-20T07:30:00+02:00","title":"Daniela Schoberer als Wissenschaftsbotschafterin am BG/BRG Weiz","teaser":"Pflegeforschung zum Anfassen für rund 60 Schüler*innen des oststeirischen Gymnasiums. ","body":"Als Wissenschaftsbotschafterin der Med Uni Graz besuchte Daniela Schoberer gemeinsam mit zwei Praktikant*innen des Instituts für Pflege- und Gesundheitswissenschaften das BG/BRG Weiz. Rund 60 Schülerinnen der dritten Schulstufe erhielten in zwei interaktiven Workshops einen praxisnahen Einblick in die Pflegewissenschaft und lernten, warum evidenzbasierte Forschung für eine hochwertige Gesundheitsversorgung unverzichtbar ist.
Nach einer kurzen Einführung in die Pflegewissenschaft stand vor allem das Mitmachen im Mittelpunkt. Die Jugendlichen konnten verschiedene Messmethoden aus der pflegewissenschaftlichen Forschung selbst ausprobieren und gingen im Rahmen des Projekts „Fakt or Fake“ verbreiteten Mythen rund um Pflege und Gesundheit auf den Grund. Gemeinsam wurde hinterfragt, welche Aussagen wissenschaftlich belegt sind, und welche sich bei genauerem Hinsehen als Irrtum entpuppen.
Ein besonderes Highlight war ein selbst durchgeführtes randomisiert-kontrolliertes Experiment (RCT). Die Schüler*innen verkosteten einmal verblindet und einmal offen Bonbons, denen ein angeblich kühlender Effekt zugeschrieben wurde. Das überraschende Ergebnis: Alle Bonbons waren identisch. Unterschiede in der Wahrnehmung ließen sich ausschließlich durch den Placebo-Effekt erklären. Das Experiment machte eindrucksvoll sichtbar, weshalb gut geplante wissenschaftliche Studien notwendig sind, um tatsächliche Wirkungen von subjektiven Eindrücken zu unterscheiden.
Zum Abschluss analysierten die Schüler*innen gemeinsam verschiedene Beispiele irreführender Statistiken und lernten, Zahlen und Schlagzeilen kritisch zu hinterfragen. Wissenschaft lebt vom kritischen Denken und von der sorgfältigen Prüfung von Evidenz, so die zentrale Botschaft des Workshops.
Der Workshop stieß auf großes Interesse und zeigte eindrucksvoll, wie spannend Pflegewissenschaft vermittelt werden kann. Gleichzeitig bot er den Jugendlichen die Möglichkeit, ein modernes und differenziertes Bild des Berufsfeldes Pflege und der pflegewissenschaftlichen Forschung kennenzulernen und weckte vielleicht sogar bei einigen das Interesse an einer zukünftigen wissenschaftlichen Laufbahn.
","start":null,"end":null,"author":null,"email":null,"keywords":null,"description":null,"topnews":false,"last_modified":"2026-07-21T11:58:02+02:00","language":null},{"id":16046,"url":"https://www.medunigraz.at/news/detail/daniela-schoberer-als-wissenschaftsbotschafterin-am-bg-brg-weiz#sl-content","media":[],"gallery":[{"id":85418,"media":{"url":"https://api-test.medunigraz.at/typo3/media/72144/","original":"https://www.medunigraz.at/frontend/user_upload/events_news/202607/BG/BRG_WEz/IMG_9417.jpeg","mimetype":"image/jpeg","filename":"IMG_9417.jpeg","size":3626770},"title":null,"description":null,"alternative":"Daniela Schoberer as Science Ambassador for the Medical University of Graz at BR/BRG Weiz"},{"id":85419,"media":{"url":"https://api-test.medunigraz.at/typo3/media/72143/","original":"https://www.medunigraz.at/frontend/user_upload/events_news/202607/BG/BRG_WEz/IMG_9418.jpeg","mimetype":"image/jpeg","filename":"IMG_9418.jpeg","size":3373637},"title":null,"description":null,"alternative":"Daniela Schoberer as Science Ambassador for the Medical University of Graz at BR/BRG Weiz"},{"id":85420,"media":{"url":"https://api-test.medunigraz.at/typo3/media/72142/","original":"https://www.medunigraz.at/frontend/user_upload/events_news/202607/BG/BRG_WEz/IMG_9424.jpeg","mimetype":"image/jpeg","filename":"IMG_9424.jpeg","size":3092417},"title":null,"description":null,"alternative":"Daniela Schoberer as Science Ambassador for the Medical University of Graz at BR/BRG Weiz"},{"id":85421,"media":{"url":"https://api-test.medunigraz.at/typo3/media/72141/","original":"https://www.medunigraz.at/frontend/user_upload/events_news/202607/BG/BRG_WEz/IMG_9425.jpeg","mimetype":"image/jpeg","filename":"IMG_9425.jpeg","size":3223907},"title":null,"description":null,"alternative":"Daniela Schoberer as Science Ambassador for the Medical University of Graz at BR/BRG Weiz"},{"id":85422,"media":{"url":"https://api-test.medunigraz.at/typo3/media/72140/","original":"https://www.medunigraz.at/frontend/user_upload/events_news/202607/BG/BRG_WEz/IMG_9439.jpeg","mimetype":"image/jpeg","filename":"IMG_9439.jpeg","size":2930735},"title":null,"description":null,"alternative":"Daniela Schoberer as Science Ambassador for the Medical University of Graz at BR/BRG Weiz"},{"id":85423,"media":{"url":"https://api-test.medunigraz.at/typo3/media/72139/","original":"https://www.medunigraz.at/frontend/user_upload/events_news/202607/BG/BRG_WEz/IMG_9445.jpeg","mimetype":"image/jpeg","filename":"IMG_9445.jpeg","size":3082130},"title":null,"description":null,"alternative":"Daniela Schoberer as Science Ambassador for the Medical University of Graz at BR/BRG Weiz"}],"contact_box":[],"breadcrumb":[{"uid":61,"pid":8139,"title":"News-Storage","is_siteroot":false,"domains":[],"uri":null},{"uid":8139,"pid":0,"title":"Med Uni Graz","is_siteroot":true,"domains":["www.medunigraz.at"],"uri":"https://www.medunigraz.at/"}],"categories":[9,14,266,285,314,315],"groups":[],"related_links":[{"id":4092,"datetime":"2026-07-21T11:58:02+02:00","title":"Daniela Schoberer","description":null,"url":"https://ris.medunigraz.at/de/persons/daniela-schoberer-2/"}],"related_media":[],"header_image":{"url":"https://api-test.medunigraz.at/typo3/media/72140/","original":"https://www.medunigraz.at/frontend/user_upload/events_news/202607/BG/BRG_WEz/IMG_9439.jpeg","mimetype":"image/jpeg","filename":"IMG_9439.jpeg","size":2930735},"datetime":"2026-07-20T07:00:00+02:00","title":"Daniela Schoberer as Science Ambassador at BG/BRG Weiz","teaser":"Hands-on nursing research for around 60 pupils at a grammar school in Eastern Styria. ","body":"As a science ambassador for the Medical University of Graz, Daniela Schoberer visited the BG/BRG Weiz together with two interns from the Institute of Nursing and Health Sciences. Around 60 Year 3 pupils took part in two interactive workshops, gaining a practical insight into nursing science and learning why evidence-based research is essential for high-quality healthcare.
Following a brief introduction to nursing science, the focus was primarily on hands-on participation. The pupils were able to try out various measurement methods used in nursing research for themselves and, as part of the ‘Fact or Fake’ project, got to the bottom of common myths surrounding nursing and health. Together, they examined which claims are scientifically proven and which, on closer inspection, turn out to be misconceptions.
A particular highlight was a randomised controlled trial (RCT) they conducted themselves. The pupils tasted sweets – once in a blind test and once in an open test – which were claimed to have a cooling effect. The surprising result: all the sweets were identical. Differences in perception could be explained solely by the placebo effect. The experiment impressively demonstrated why well-designed scientific studies are necessary to distinguish actual effects from subjective impressions.
To conclude, the pupils worked together to analyse various examples of misleading statistics and learnt to critically scrutinise figures and headlines. Science thrives on critical thinking and the careful examination of evidence – this was the central message of the workshop.
The workshop met with great interest and impressively demonstrated just how exciting nursing science can be when taught effectively. At the same time, it offered the young people the opportunity to gain a modern and nuanced understanding of the nursing profession and nursing science research, and may even have sparked an interest in a future academic career for some of them.
","start":null,"end":null,"author":null,"email":null,"keywords":null,"description":null,"topnews":false,"last_modified":"2026-07-21T11:58:02+02:00","language":6},{"id":16042,"url":"https://www.medunigraz.at/news/detail/die-zahl-der-aerztinnen-koennte-sinken#sl-content","media":[],"gallery":[],"contact_box":[],"breadcrumb":[{"uid":61,"pid":8139,"title":"News-Storage","is_siteroot":false,"domains":[],"uri":null},{"uid":8139,"pid":0,"title":"Med Uni Graz","is_siteroot":true,"domains":["www.medunigraz.at"],"uri":"https://www.medunigraz.at/"}],"categories":[9,14,266,267,291,314],"groups":[],"related_links":[],"related_media":[],"header_image":{"url":"https://api-test.medunigraz.at/typo3/media/70948/","original":"https://www.medunigraz.at/frontend/user_upload/events_news/_sujets/veranstaltungen/mikrofon_AdobeStock_76364764.jpeg","mimetype":"image/jpeg","filename":"mikrofon_AdobeStock_76364764.jpeg","size":2413768},"datetime":"2026-07-17T07:00:00+02:00","title":"An interview with Andrea Kurz: The number of doctors could fall","teaser":"Rector Andrea Kurz discusses the budget cuts announced by the government.","body":"The forthcoming double budget and the government’s planned cuts to university funding have caused quite a stir across Austria. Rector Kurz, what was your first thought when you heard about the cuts?
I was shocked at first, but I always switch to planning mode very quickly. There were severe cuts during my time in the US too, but by changing structures and processes, you can counteract them to a certain extent.
What specific impacts would the planned cuts have at the Medical University of Graz?
It will, of course, depend on the scale of the cuts, which is not yet clear at this stage. But in practice, it will affect all areas – that is, teaching, research and clinical training. We would have to supervise larger groups of students or trainees with fewer teaching staff, which would compromise quality and alter the training of our doctors. It will be difficult to continue developing innovative teaching methods, programmes for students and so on, and researchers would certainly leave. Of course, cuts would also affect medical care – we need to consider how many doctors we can actually still train. The duration of studies could be extended because, for example, we might not be able to offer as many examination dates. This, in turn, would affect the number of doctors in Styria. Jobs may be at risk, particularly if we cannot make ends meet through proactive measures such as reorganisation, restructuring and process changes, or by not filling posts following retirement. But still: overall, the number of doctors could then be lower.
Where would this be felt first?
It should have the least impact on patient care, but initially it would certainly be felt most acutely in the administrative sector, amongst general staff and those providing research support, where posts cannot be filled or planned vacancies are not advertised. We need to consider very carefully what we can continue to maintain. This will then become apparent relatively quickly in our publications and our ability to secure third-party funding.
Markus Zeitlinger suggested that scaling back research would also mean that Austrian centres would no longer be involved in international studies, and that as a result, certain new medicines would only become available to Austrian patients at a later stage. Do you see it that way too?
That is certainly possible. The Austrian market isn’t particularly attractive to the industry anyway, as it is too small. If we were then to be excluded from these trials as well, we would really have a problem. It is clear that, ultimately, cuts to research are always closely linked to patient care. We need a certain number of doctors in Styria, not just at the University Hospital, but also across the regions.
How are the planned cuts being viewed abroad?
It’s a major issue in the DACH countries. And just a year ago, our government was still saying that, given the Trump administration, we were effectively a safe haven for researchers from the US, but now we have to make sure that our best researchers don’t leave us. We absolutely shouldn’t be in this situation, because what Austria does so well is our greatest asset: our people.
Do you think these discussions are having an impact on young people who are considering studying medicine?
No. Many want to study medicine and will go ahead with their plans despite the current uncertainty; perhaps a small percentage will drop out. But I think motivation is the more decisive factor.
How do you assess the atmosphere when it comes to collaborations with industry and third-party-funded projects?
Good question. Industry, innovation and academic thinking are evolving together. I could well imagine that the business sector might turn away from us to some extent if it cannot be sure that, for example, there will still be enough people in a laboratory in a year’s time to carry on with the research.
Returning to Markus Zeitlinger – he also spoke of a willingness to accept a pay freeze. What is your view on that?
It’s certainly possible, or even likely.
In principle, the discussions have now been postponed until the autumn. How is the Medical University of Graz preparing for this?
We – that is, all 22 universities together – are currently working together to highlight what we believe is important to enable Austria to cope with the current situation. We will make this available to the government. At the Medical University of Graz, we have been scrutinising our structures and processes for years, looking at how we can achieve greater efficiency through digitalisation and AI. We will actively continue to pursue this, as a certain degree of resource reduction is inevitable. We universities are always portrayed as if we were completely out of touch with reality. People underestimate what we do. For example, we’re working on collaborations between universities to streamline processes, or to establish a joint unit that handles spin-offs, rather than everyone setting up their own system in parallel.
What other topics and projects will Med Uni Graz be focusing on in the coming academic year?
We are in the process of developing a completely new curriculum, which will come into effect in autumn 2027, and this autumn we are launching the new psychotherapy degree programme in collaboration with the University of Graz. In research, we’re in the process of identifying key priorities; digital transformation is also a major focus for us, and we’re actively working to improve efficiency in this area.
What will be the biggest changes in the new curriculum?
We call it a Z-curriculum, in which we start with the pre-clinical phase but involve students in clinical subjects and patient care much earlier on. This allows us to integrate the two areas more effectively across the different stages of the degree programme. Other universities have already expressed an interest in this approach.
If you were to make an appeal to the federal government, what would it be?
I would ask them to take a holistic look at the higher education system in Austria. It is truly excessive that Austria has 77 higher education institutions. I would also ask them to amend certain laws to increase the flexibility of universities. But they probably don’t want to do that, because these aren’t short-term solutions, but rather long-term processes that may prove unpopular. What is so very close to my heart is academic freedom. And I believe that is under threat as a result. I said this when Trump came to power and cut research funding. Now we are heading in the same direction. Academic freedom is a cornerstone of our democracy. It is not just about the money we are not receiving; it is about the direction Austria is taking and the mindset.
Text credit: Beate Mosing/Styrian Medical Association
","start":null,"end":null,"author":null,"email":null,"keywords":null,"description":null,"topnews":false,"last_modified":"2026-07-21T10:37:02+02:00","language":6},{"id":16038,"url":"https://www.medunigraz.at/news/detail/die-zahl-der-aerztinnen-koennte-sinken#sl-content","media":[],"gallery":[{"id":85445,"media":{"url":"https://api-test.medunigraz.at/typo3/media/72149/","original":"https://www.medunigraz.at/frontend/user_upload/events_news/202607/26061248.jpg","mimetype":"image/jpeg","filename":"26061248.jpg","size":732504},"title":null,"description":null,"alternative":"Rektorin Andrea Kurz im Interview - Foto: Ärztekammer/Schifferer"}],"contact_box":[],"breadcrumb":[{"uid":61,"pid":8139,"title":"News-Storage","is_siteroot":false,"domains":[],"uri":null},{"uid":8139,"pid":0,"title":"Med Uni Graz","is_siteroot":true,"domains":["www.medunigraz.at"],"uri":"https://www.medunigraz.at/"}],"categories":[9,14,266,267,291,314],"groups":[],"related_links":[],"related_media":[],"header_image":{"url":"https://api-test.medunigraz.at/typo3/media/70948/","original":"https://www.medunigraz.at/frontend/user_upload/events_news/_sujets/veranstaltungen/mikrofon_AdobeStock_76364764.jpeg","mimetype":"image/jpeg","filename":"mikrofon_AdobeStock_76364764.jpeg","size":2413768},"datetime":"2026-07-17T07:00:00+02:00","title":"Rektorin Andrea Kurz im Interview: Die Zahl der Ärzt*innen könnte sinken","teaser":"Das ausführliche Interview über die von der Regierung angekündigten Budgeteinsparungen.","body":"Das kommende Doppelbudget und die damit von der Regierung geplanten Einsparungen im Bereich der Universitäten haben österreichweit für große Aufregung gesorgt. Rektorin Kurz, was haben Sie sich als erstes gedacht, als Sie von den Kürzungen gehört haben?
Ich war im ersten Moment schockiert, aber ich gehe immer schnell in den Planungsmodus. Auch in meiner Zeit in den Staaten hat es schlimme Kürzungen gegeben, durch Veränderungen in Strukturen und Prozessen kann man aber bis zu einem gewissen Grad gegenlenken.
Welche konkreten Auswirkungen hätten die geplanten Kürzungen denn an der Med Uni Graz?
Es wird natürlich darauf ankommen, wie groß die Kürzungen sind, was zum jetzigen Zeitpunkt noch nicht klar ist. Aber de facto wird es sich auf alle Bereiche auswirken, also auf Lehre, Forschung und Ausbildung im Klinikum. Man müsste mit weniger Lehrenden größere Gruppen von Studierenden oder Auszubildenden betreuen, was die Qualität beeinträchtigen und die Ausbildung unserer Ärzt*innen verändern würde. Schwierig wird es mit dem weiteren Ausbau innovativer Lehrmethoden, Programmen für Studierende usw., und sicher würden Forscher*innen abwandern. Natürlich würden Kürzungen auch die medizinische Versorgung treffen – man muss sich überlegen, wie viele Ärzt*innen können wir überhaupt noch ausbilden. Die Studiendauer könnte sich verlängern, weil wir z. B. nicht so viele Prüfungstermine anbieten könnten. Das wirkt sich wiederum auf die Zahl der Ärzt*innen in der Steiermark aus. Möglicherweise sind Stellen in Gefahr, speziell wenn wir durch proaktive Maßnahmen wie Umorganisation, Umstrukturierung und Prozessveränderungen oder Nichtweiterführung von Stellen nach Pensionierung nicht das Auslangen finden. Aber doch: Insgesamt könnte die Zahl der Ärzt*innen dann niedriger sein.
Wo würde man das als erstes spüren?
Als Letztes sollte es sich bei der Patientenversorgung aus wirken, aber zu Beginn sicher vor allem im administrativen Bereich, beim allgemeinen Personal und jenem für den Wissenschaftssupport, dass Stellen nicht nachbesetzt werden können oder geplante Stellen nicht ausgeschrieben werden. Man muss sich genau überlegen, was man weiterführen kann. Das wird dann relativ schnell auch bei unseren Publikationen und Drittmitteleinwerbungen spürbar sein.
Markus Zeitlinger meinte, dass das Zurückfahren der Forschung auch heißen würde, dass die österreichischen Standorte nicht mehr in internationalen Studien wären und dass dadurch gewisse neue Medikamente erst später für österreichische Patient*innen zur Verfügung stehen würden. Sehen Sie das auch so?
Das ist durchaus möglich. Der österreichische Markt ist für die Industrie sowieso nicht extrem interessant, weil er zu klein ist. Wenn man dann auch noch aus diesen Studien fällt, haben wir wirklich ein Problem. Man sieht, dass das Sparen bei der Forschung im Endeffekt immer eng mit der Patientenversorgung verbunden ist. Wir brauchen in der Steiermark eine gewisse Anzahl von Ärzt*innen, nicht nur am Universitätsklinikum, sondern auch in den Regionen.
Wie werden die geplanten Kürzungen im Ausland wahrgenommen?
In den DACH-Ländern ist das ein großes Thema. Und vor einem Jahr hat unsere Regierung noch gesagt, dass wir angesichts der Trump-Regierung quasi der sichere Hafen für Forschende aus den Staaten sind, doch jetzt müssen wir schauen, dass uns die guten Forscher*innen nicht davonlaufen. In dieser Situation sollten wir absolut nicht sein, denn was Österreich so gut macht, ist unser wichtigstes Potenzial, unsere Menschen.
Glauben Sie, haben diese Diskussionen Auswirkungen auf die jungen Menschen, die sich überlegen, Medizin zu studieren?
Nein. Viele wollen Medizin studieren und werden trotz der Verunsicherung aktuell ihren Weg gehen, vielleicht springt ein kleiner Prozentsatz ab. Aber die Motivation halte ich für ausschlaggebender.
Wie schätzen Sie die Stimmung bei Zusammenarbeiten mit der Wirtschaft, bei Drittmittelprojekten ein?
Gute Frage. Wirtschaft, Innovation und universitäres Denken entwickeln sich zusammen weiter. Ich könnte mir schon vorstellen, dass sich die Wirtschaft teilweise von uns abwendet, wenn sie nicht sicher sein kann, dass beispielsweise in einem Labor in einem Jahr noch genug Leute da sind, die die Untersuchungen fortführen können.
Nochmal zu Markus Zeitlinger – er hat auch von der Bereitschaft zu einer Null-Lohnrunde gesprochen. Wie sehen Sie das?
Durchaus möglich oder sogar wahrscheinlich.
Prinzipiell sind die Diskussionen jetzt in den Herbst verschoben worden. Wie rüstet sich die Med Uni dafür?
Wir – also alle 22 Universitäten gemeinsam – arbeiten derzeit zusammen, um aufzuzeigen, was aus unserer Sicht wichtig wäre, damit Österreich mit der aktuellen Situation fertig werden kann. Das werden wir der Regierung zur Verfügung stellen. Als Med Uni Graz hinterfragen wir schon seit Jahren unsere Strukturen und Prozesse, und schauen, wie wir durch Digitalisierung und mit KI größere Effizienz aufbauen können. Das werden wir aktiv weiter betreiben, denn ein gewisses Maß an Ressourcenverminderung muss stattfinden. Wir Unis werden immer so dargestellt, als wären wir komplett weltfremd. Man unterschätzt, was wir machen. Wir arbeiten zum Beispiel an Kollaborationen zwischen den Universitäten, um Prozesse zusammenzuziehen oder dass wir gemeinsam eine Einheit haben, die sich um Ausgründungen und Spin-offs kümmert und nicht jeder parallel ein System aufbaut.
Welche Themen und Projekte werden die Med Uni Graz im kommenden Studienjahr darüber hinaus beschäftigen?
Wir sind dabei, ein komplett neues Curriculum zu entwickeln, das im Herbst 2027 in Kraft treten wird und wir beginnen in diesem Herbst mit dem neuen Psychotherapiestudium gemeinsam mit der Uni Graz. In der Forschung sind wir dabei, Leuchttürme zu fixieren, auch die digitale Transformation ist ein Riesenthema für uns, an dem wir aktiv für mehr Effizienz arbeiten.
Was werden die größten Veränderungen im neuen Curriculum sein?
Wir nennen es ein Z-Curriculum, bei dem wir mit der Vorklinik beginnen, aber die Studierenden schon sehr viel früher in die klinischen Fächer, in die Patientenversorgung einbinden. Dadurch verbinden wir die beiden Bereiche in den bei den Studienabschnitten besser miteinander. Andere Universitäten haben daran auch bereits Interesse.
Wenn Sie einen Appell an die Bundesregierung richten würden, welcher wäre das?
Ich bitte darum, sich das Hochschulsystem in Österreich gesamthaft anzuschauen. Dass Österreich 77 Hochschulen hat, ist wahrlich übertrieben. Auch würde ich bitten, einige Gesetze anzupassen, um die Flexibilität der Universitäten zu erhöhen. Das will man aber wahrscheinlich nicht machen, weil das keine kurzfristigen Lösungen, sondern eher langfristige Prozesse sind, die unpopulär sein können. Was mir so sehr am Herzen liegt, ist die akademische Freiheit. Und die finde ich damit gefährdet. Das habe ich gesagt, als Trump kam und Stellen in der Forschung gestrichen hat. Jetzt bewegen wir uns in die gleiche Richtung. Die akademische Freiheit ist ein Grundpfeiler unserer Demokratie. Es geht nicht nur um das Geld, das wir nicht bekommen, es geht um die Richtung die Österreich einschlägt und um die Gesinnung.
Textnachweis: Ärztekammer Steiermark, das Interview führte Beate Mosing
","start":null,"end":null,"author":null,"email":null,"keywords":null,"description":null,"topnews":false,"last_modified":"2026-07-21T10:37:02+02:00","language":null},{"id":16037,"url":"https://www.medunigraz.at/news/detail/forschungskooperation-als-herzensangelegenheit-herzforschung-in-teamarbeit#sl-content","media":[],"gallery":[],"contact_box":[],"breadcrumb":[{"uid":61,"pid":8139,"title":"News-Storage","is_siteroot":false,"domains":[],"uri":null},{"uid":8139,"pid":0,"title":"Med Uni Graz","is_siteroot":true,"domains":["www.medunigraz.at"],"uri":"https://www.medunigraz.at/"}],"categories":[9,14,268,271,274,287],"groups":[],"related_links":[{"id":4085,"datetime":"2026-08-26T10:12:30+02:00","title":"To the Article (in German)","description":null,"url":"https://neu.kleinezeitung.at/artikel/31992321/forschungskooperation-als-herzensangelegenheit"},{"id":4086,"datetime":"2026-08-26T10:12:30+02:00","title":"Kleine Zeitung","description":null,"url":"https://www.kleinezeitung.at/"},{"id":4087,"datetime":"2026-08-26T10:12:30+02:00","title":"Mahmoud Abdellatif","description":null,"url":"https://ris.medunigraz.at/en/persons/mahmoud-abdellatif-2/"},{"id":4088,"datetime":"2026-08-26T10:12:30+02:00","title":"BioTechMed-Graz","description":null,"url":"https://biotechmedgraz.at/de/"}],"related_media":[],"header_image":{"url":"https://api-test.medunigraz.at/typo3/media/70920/","original":"https://www.medunigraz.at/frontend/user_upload/events_news/_sujets/medizin/kardiologie/herzen_papier_AdobeStock_56190626.jpeg","mimetype":"image/jpeg","filename":"herzen_papier_AdobeStock_56190626.jpeg","size":10816260},"datetime":"2026-07-16T08:32:53+02:00","title":"Research collaboration: a labour of love – heart research through teamwork","teaser":"As part of the BioTechMed-Graz project, the Medical University of Graz, the University of Graz and Graz University of Technology are conducting research into the heart.","body":"Anyone who thinks that too many cooks spoil the broth has not yet seen what is being concocted at BioTechMed-Graz. This research collaboration between the University of Graz, the Medical University of Graz and Graz University of Technology brings together the brightest minds from the three institutions for joint projects, thereby enabling cutting-edge research that has an impact far beyond the university campus. The latest example is the flagship project ‘ACE AGE’.
Behind the acronym lies an ambitious research project dedicated to heart health during aging. At the heart of the project is a protein whose concentration rises with aging and is linked to known risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as obesity, high cholesterol and high blood pressure.
“We assume that this protein originates from adipose tissue, which increases with aging. From there, the protein enters the bloodstream and triggers inflammation in heart tissue,” says Mahmoud Abdellatif. The physician is leading the research project and works at the Division of Cardiology at the Medical University of Graz. There, he is supported by a team of PhD students who are putting the initial research findings to the test in experiments with laboratory mice.
A research group at the Institute of Organic Chemistry at Graz University of Technology is also involved in this project. “We will synthesise key molecules in the laboratory that could enable us to suppress this protein, which damages the heart as we age,” says TU Graz chemist Rolf Breinbauer. He compares the collaborative process in this interdisciplinary research project to the workings of a top-class kitchen: as sous-chef, Breinbauer sees himself as responsible for part of the overall menu, which he contributes alongside his team of PhD students. The efficacy of these novel molecular keys is being tested in various models at the Institute of Molecular Biosciences at the University of Graz. There, Renate Schreiber and Frank Madeo are investigating which cellular processes are pathologically altered by the body’s own protein as we age.
Coordination between the various disciplines – the project brings together medicine, chemistry, biochemistry and molecular biology – is one of the core tasks of the management team. “The first step was to gain an understanding of each other’s working methods and to find a common language. The different laboratories have varying approaches to testing a scientific hypothesis, and the challenge was to reconcile these,” says Renate Schreiber. For her, this is what makes working for BioTechMed-Graz such a special undertaking: being able to work under such a joint umbrella is unique in the Austrian research landscape – not least because of the substantial funding of one million euros, which is drawn from the resources of the three universities.
Should the research project bear fruit, this could also serve as a springboard for further funding from the EU or the Austrian Science Fund (FWF) on an even larger scale. A possible indicator of success lies in the development of a new blood test to identify people at increased risk of heart disease. On this basis, new therapies to protect the aging heart could be developed, provided it can be unequivocally established how the protein damages the heart and how it influences key cellular maintenance and repair mechanisms in the heart muscle cells.
“We live in an increasingly ageing society, where living as long and healthily as possible is a major challenge. We would like to play our part in supporting this goal by providing better treatment options for heart disease,” says Abdellatif confidently.
Source: Kleine Zeitung, 2 July 2026
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Allein in Österreich leben rund 300.000 Menschen mit Herzinsuffizienz, wobei etwa die Hälfte von ihnen an der Form der Herzinsuffizienz mit erhaltener Ejektionsfraktion (HFpEF) leidet. Bei der HFpEF bleibt die Pumpkraft des Herzes zwar erhalten, aufgrund eines versteiften Muskels kann sich das Herz aber nicht ausreichend mit Blut füllen, um seine Aufgabe optimal zu erfüllen. Die Folgen sind insbesondere bei körperlicher Belastung Kurzatmigkeit, Leistungseinbußen und eine dramatische Verringerung der Lebensqualität – und über 50 % Mortalität innerhalb von fünf Jahren nach der ersten Diagnose.
HFpEF ist eine der häufigsten Ursachen für Krankenhausaufenthalte von Patient*innen über 65 Jahre. Aufgrund des demografischen Wandels nimmt die Zahl der Personen mit Herzinsuffizienz stetig zu. HFpEF stellt eine erhebliche Herausforderung dar, da es nur begrenzte Therapiemöglichkeiten gibt, was auf die unzureichende Erforschung und die noch nicht vollständig verstandenen Mechanismen zurückzuführen ist.
HFpEF ist aber nicht „nur“ eine Herzerkrankung, erklärt Simon Sedej: „HFpEF ist eine systemische Erkrankung, die den gesamten Organismus betrifft. Sie entsteht vor allem durch die Wechselwirkung von Alterung, Bewegungsmangel und begleitenden Stoffwechselstörungen wie Übergewicht bzw. Adipositas, Bluthochdruck und metabolischem Syndrom. Diese Erkrankungen, die zu den größten Risikofaktoren für HFpEF gehören, führen zu einem Teufelskreis aus entgleistem Stoffwechsel und einer zunehmenden Beeinträchtigung der Herzfunktion.“
Die Publikation „Inhibition of Adipose Tissue Lipolysis Treats Obesity-Related HFpEF“, die im Journal Circulation Research erschienen ist, wirft einen Blick auf den Faktor Übergewicht bei der Behandlung von HFpEF. Die Erstautorin Alina Stockner zeigt sich von den Ergebnissen begeistert: „Tatsächlich spielt das Fettgewebe eine zentrale Rolle in der HFpEF, indem es zur Entwicklung einer chronischen systemischen Entzündung beiträgt. Trotz der maßgeblichen Bedeutung des Fettgewebes im Krankheitsverlauf gibt es derzeit noch keinen Beleg dafür, dass die direkte Modulation des Fettgewebsstoffwechsels allein ausreicht, um die adipositasassoziierte HFpEF zu behandeln. In der vorliegenden Arbeit liefern wir überzeugende Evidenz dafür, dass die genetische beziehungsweise pharmakologische Hemmung der Lipolyse spezifisch im Fettgewebe ausreicht, um übergewichtsassoziierte HFpEF vorzubeugen beziehungsweise diese zu behandeln.“
Im Zentrum der Forschung stand ein Stoff namens Atglistatin. Er hemmt spezifisch die Adipozyten-Triglyzeridlipase, ein zentrales Enzym des Fettstoffwechsels. Die Studie konnte zeigen, dass der Einsatz von Atglistatin die Herzfunktion in einem HFpEF-Mausmodell wirksamer positiv beeinflusst als nur die ernährungsbasierte Reduktion von Kalorien. Weiters konnte gezeigt werden, dass wichtige entzündungsfördernde Mediatoren wie IL-1β, die das Fortschreiten einer Herzinsuffizienz begünstigen, durch Atglistatin reduziert werden können. Die Forscher*innen gehen davon aus, dass die Ergebnisse dazu beitragen, weitere Studien zur Hemmung der Lipolyse bei HFpEF zu initiieren und so zu einer Verbesserung der Behandlung von adipösen Patient*innen beizutragen.
Alina Stockner hat an der Technischen Universität Graz das Bachelorstudium Molekularbiologie und folgend das Masterstudium Biochemie und molekulare Biomedizin abgeschlossen. Sie ist Studentin des PhD-Programms Molekulare Medizin.
Simon Sedej ist assoziierter Professor für Herzphysiologe und forscht als Gruppenleiter an der Med Uni Graz an Mechanismen des Alterns im Herzen und innovativen Therapieansätzen zur Behandlung von altersbedingter Herzinsuffizienz. Er leitete in den letzten drei Jahren das europäische Forschungskonsortium „MINOTAUR“, gefördert von FWF und EU, an dem Expert*innen aus Österreich, Frankreich, Portugal, Spanien und Deutschland beteiligt waren. Die klinisch relevanten Ergebnisse seiner Forschungsgruppe, eingebettet in das universitäre Herzzentrum, wurden in den letzten Jahren regelmäßig in hochrangigen wissenschaftlichen Journalen publiziert und mit renommierten Preisen ausgezeichnet.
","start":null,"end":null,"author":null,"email":null,"keywords":null,"description":null,"topnews":false,"last_modified":"2026-07-16T08:22:51+02:00","language":null},{"id":16034,"url":"https://www.medunigraz.at/news/detail/herzinsuffizienz-und-adipositas-med-uni-graz-untersucht-den-zusammenhang#sl-content","media":[],"gallery":[],"contact_box":[{"id":116085,"media":{"url":"https://api-test.medunigraz.at/typo3/media/61722/","original":"https://www.medunigraz.at/frontend/user_upload/images/contact/S/sedej-simon.png","mimetype":"image/png","filename":"sedej-simon.png","size":797355},"title":"","name":"Simon Sedej","phone":"+4331638572742","url":"https://ris.medunigraz.at/de/persons/3b0e60f1-a53b-4b19-bc01-f79fdbb5328c - - Forschungsprofil","link_label":"Forschungsprofil","email":"simon.sedej@medunigraz.at","headline":"Further information and contact","address":["Division of Cardiology","Medical University of Graz"]}],"breadcrumb":[{"uid":61,"pid":8139,"title":"News-Storage","is_siteroot":false,"domains":[],"uri":null},{"uid":8139,"pid":0,"title":"Med Uni Graz","is_siteroot":true,"domains":["www.medunigraz.at"],"uri":"https://www.medunigraz.at/"}],"categories":[9,14,268,270,271,274,287],"groups":[],"related_links":[{"id":4077,"datetime":"2026-07-16T08:22:24+02:00","title":"Press release (in German)","description":null,"url":"https://www.medunigraz.at/frontend/user_upload/themen-pr/presseinformationen/2026/presseinfo-hfpef-adipositas-versand.pdf"},{"id":4078,"datetime":"2026-07-16T08:22:24+02:00","title":"Simon Sedej","description":null,"url":"https://ris.medunigraz.at/de/persons/3b0e60f1-a53b-4b19-bc01-f79fdbb5328c"},{"id":4079,"datetime":"2026-07-16T08:22:24+02:00","title":"Division of Cardiology","description":null,"url":"https://kardiologie.medunigraz.at/en/"}],"related_media":[],"header_image":{"url":"https://api-test.medunigraz.at/typo3/media/66164/","original":"https://www.medunigraz.at/frontend/user_upload/events_news/_sujets/medizin/kardiologie/kardiologie_AdobeStock_134916771.jpg","mimetype":"image/jpeg","filename":"kardiologie_AdobeStock_134916771.jpg","size":5437321},"datetime":"2026-07-15T14:41:12+02:00","title":"Heart failure and obesity: the Medical University of Graz investigates the link","teaser":"Scientists at the Medical University of Graz are investigating how being overweight affects the heart.","body":"Everyone is aware of the heart’s role as a vital organ. The muscle pumps blood through the body, thereby ensuring that all organs and tissues are adequately supplied with oxygen and nutrients. When the heart’s function is impaired, this is referred to as heart failure. The causes of heart failure are varied and range from heart attacks, high blood pressure and heart valve diseases to congenital heart defects or hormonal disorders. At the Medical University of Graz, the risk factor of being overweight and its effects were investigated.
In Austria alone, around 300,000 people live with heart failure, with about half of them suffering from the form known as heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). In HFpEF, although the heart’s pumping power remains intact, a stiffened muscle prevents the heart from filling sufficiently with blood to perform its function optimally. The consequences, particularly during physical exertion, include shortness of breath, reduced physical performance and a dramatic decline in quality of life – as well as a mortality rate of over 50 per cent within five years of the initial diagnosis.
HFpEF is one of the most common causes of hospital admissions among patients over the age of 65. Due to demographic change, the number of people with heart failure is steadily increasing. HFpEF poses a significant challenge, as there are only limited treatment options, due to insufficient research and mechanisms that are not yet fully understood.
However, HFpEF is not ‘just’ a heart condition, explains Simon Sedej: ‘HFpEF is a systemic disease that affects the entire body. It arises primarily from the interaction of ageing, physical inactivity and associated metabolic disorders such as overweight or obesity, high blood pressure and metabolic syndrome. These conditions, which are among the greatest risk factors for HFpEF, lead to a vicious circle of metabolic derailment and progressively impaired heart function.”
The paper ‘Inhibition of Adipose Tissue Lipolysis Treats Obesity-Related HFpEF’, published in the journal *Circulation Research*, examines the role of obesity in the treatment of HFpEF. Lead author Alina Stockner is delighted with the results: “Adipose tissue does indeed play a central role in HFpEF by contributing to the development of chronic systemic inflammation. Despite the significant role of adipose tissue in the course of the disease, there is currently no evidence that direct modulation of adipose tissue metabolism alone is sufficient to treat obesity-associated HFpEF. In this study, we provide compelling evidence that the genetic or pharmacological inhibition of lipolysis specifically in adipose tissue is sufficient to prevent or treat obesity-associated HFpEF.”
The research centred on a substance called atglistatin. It specifically inhibits adipocyte triglyceride lipase, a key enzyme in fat metabolism. The study demonstrated that the use of atglistatin has a more effective positive impact on cardiac function in a mouse model of HFpEF than dietary calorie restriction alone. Furthermore, it was shown that important pro-inflammatory mediators such as IL-1β, which promote the progression of heart failure, can be reduced by atglistatin. The researchers believe that these findings will help to initiate further studies into the inhibition of lipolysis in HFpEF, thereby contributing to improved treatment for obese patients.
Alina Stockner completed a Bachelor’s degree in Molecular Biology at Graz University of Technology, followed by a Master’s degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biomedicine. She is a PhD student in the Molecular Medicine programme.
Simon Sedej is an associate professor of cardiac physiology and, as a group leader at the Medical University of Graz, conducts research into the mechanisms of aging in the heart and innovative therapeutic approaches for the treatment of age-related heart failure. Over the past three years, he has led the European research consortium ‘MINOTAUR’, funded by the FWF and the EU, which involved experts from Austria, France, Portugal, Spain and Germany. The clinically relevant findings of his research group, which is based at the university’s Heart Centre, have been regularly published in high-impact scientific journals in recent years and have been recognised with prestigious awards.
","start":null,"end":null,"author":null,"email":null,"keywords":null,"description":null,"topnews":false,"last_modified":"2026-07-16T08:22:51+02:00","language":6},{"id":16032,"url":"https://www.medunigraz.at/news/detail/innovation-hub-graz-macht-spitzen-spin-offs-gezielt-investor-ready#sl-content","media":[{"id":85371,"media":{"url":"https://api-test.medunigraz.at/typo3/media/72051/","original":"https://www.medunigraz.at/frontend/user_upload/events_news/202607/iHub/F-Scheriau-2026-iHub_PK-by-Scheriau-tugraz__6_.jpg","mimetype":"image/jpeg","filename":"F-Scheriau-2026-iHub_PK-by-Scheriau-tugraz__6_.jpg","size":2259449},"title":"Rector Peter Riedler, Vice Rector Alexander Rosenkranz, Rector Horst Bischof","description":"Rector Peter Riedler, Vice Rector Alexander Rosenkranz, Rector Horst Bischof","alternative":"Rector Peter Riedler, Vice Rector Alexander Rosenkranz, Rector Horst Bischof"},{"id":85372,"media":{"url":"https://api-test.medunigraz.at/typo3/media/72053/","original":"https://www.medunigraz.at/frontend/user_upload/events_news/202607/iHub/F-Scheriau-2026-iHub_PK-by-Scheriau-tugraz__8_.jpg","mimetype":"image/jpeg","filename":"F-Scheriau-2026-iHub_PK-by-Scheriau-tugraz__8_.jpg","size":2874201},"title":"The representatives of the universities of Graz","description":"The representatives of the universities of Graz","alternative":"The representatives of the universities of Graz"},{"id":85373,"media":{"url":"https://api-test.medunigraz.at/typo3/media/72052/","original":"https://www.medunigraz.at/frontend/user_upload/events_news/202607/iHub/F-Scheriau-2026-iHub_PK-by-Scheriau-tugraz__16_.jpg","mimetype":"image/jpeg","filename":"F-Scheriau-2026-iHub_PK-by-Scheriau-tugraz__16_.jpg","size":2662434},"title":"The representatives of the universities of Graz","description":"The representatives of the universities of Graz","alternative":"The representatives of the universities of Graz"},{"id":85374,"media":{"url":"https://api-test.medunigraz.at/typo3/media/72050/","original":"https://www.medunigraz.at/frontend/user_upload/events_news/202607/iHub/F-Scheriau-2026-iHub_PK-by-Scheriau-tugraz__22_.jpg","mimetype":"image/jpeg","filename":"F-Scheriau-2026-iHub_PK-by-Scheriau-tugraz__22_.jpg","size":2237645},"title":"Vice Rector Alexander Rosenkranz","description":"Vice Rector Alexander Rosenkranz","alternative":"Vice Rector Alexander Rosenkranz"},{"id":85375,"media":{"url":"https://api-test.medunigraz.at/typo3/media/72049/","original":"https://www.medunigraz.at/frontend/user_upload/events_news/202607/iHub/iHub-Gruppe-sitzend.png","mimetype":"image/png","filename":"iHub-Gruppe-sitzend.png","size":2199893},"title":"Rector Peter Riedler, Vice Rector Alexander Rosenkranz, Rector Horst Bischof","description":"Rector Peter Riedler, Vice Rector Alexander Rosenkranz, Rector Horst Bischof","alternative":"Rector Peter Riedler, Vice Rector Alexander Rosenkranz, Rector Horst Bischof"}],"gallery":[],"contact_box":[],"breadcrumb":[{"uid":61,"pid":8139,"title":"News-Storage","is_siteroot":false,"domains":[],"uri":null},{"uid":8139,"pid":0,"title":"Med Uni Graz","is_siteroot":true,"domains":["www.medunigraz.at"],"uri":"https://www.medunigraz.at/"}],"categories":[9,14,267,291],"groups":[],"related_links":[{"id":4072,"datetime":"2026-07-15T14:09:35+02:00","title":"University of Graz","description":null,"url":"https://www.uni-graz.at/de/"},{"id":4073,"datetime":"2026-07-15T14:09:35+02:00","title":"Graz University of Technology","description":null,"url":"https://www.tugraz.at/home"}],"related_media":[],"header_image":{"url":"https://api-test.medunigraz.at/typo3/media/70937/","original":"https://www.medunigraz.at/frontend/user_upload/events_news/_sujets/themen/applaus-glueckwunsch-handschlag/haende_schuetteln_AdobeStock_1297850815.jpeg","mimetype":"image/jpeg","filename":"haende_schuetteln_AdobeStock_1297850815.jpeg","size":5789634},"datetime":"2026-07-15T12:46:38+02:00","title":"“Innovation Hub Graz” works to make top spin-offs specifically investor ready","teaser":"Med Uni Graz, the University of Graz and Graz University of Technology are committed to cooperation.","body":"The Medical University of Graz, University of Graz and TU Graz are once again joining forces to establish a joint Innovation Hub Graz (iHub Graz). At this transfer centre, selected, particularly promising university spin-offs are specifically prepared to be investor ready.
iHub Graz aims to guide academic spin-offs into the next stage of funding, bridge the gap between spin-off and the entry of venture capitalists, and raise the profile of promising Graz-based spin-offs among international investors.
iHub has been deliberately conceived as a focal point in Graz’s established innovation ecosystem. It picks up where research ideas have already given rise to initial entrepreneurial initiatives – for example, following programmes such as the Start-up Garage, which supports students and researchers in their start-up ventures at an early stage, and incubation facilities such as Science Park Graz or Unicorn Graz, which support start-ups emerging from the university environment. The aim is to bring together the best university start-ups into iHub and to prepare them specifically for investment.
iHub marks the first time a shared, clearly visible interface to the outside world has been created. In future, investors and other external partners will no longer negotiate with individual universities, but with a central body. At the same time, close links with the universities are maintained. Clear feedback mechanisms to all three organisations are planned.
“Through iHub, we, the universities of Graz, are making a joint commitment. We will bring the best ideas to market more quickly, pool resources, offer investors a single point of contact based on the “one-stop shop” principle, and enhance investment readiness – with a clear-cut impact on society, the economy and the region. “Results are our yardstick – not areas of responsibility,” said Horst Bischof, Rector of Graz University of Technology (TU Graz), Peter Riedler, Rector of the University of Graz, and Alexander Rosenkranz, Vice-Rector of the Medical University of Graz, with one voice.
The roll-out of iHub is now beginning with a defined initial phase. The three universities each hold a one-third stake in the transfer company and are providing iHub with around six million euros over the next seven years to enable it to quickly develop into a fully operational organisation. At the same time, the position of managing director is being advertised internationally. We are looking for an individual with proven experience in setting up similar innovation and technology transfer centres, who will strategically develop the innovation hub in its early years, regardless of short-term funding debates.
“With iHub a central platform will be created for academic spin-offs, offering professional IP and investment management, well-defined processes and direct access to funding bodies, infrastructure and investor networks. Our unambiguous objective is a seamless transition from funding to participation and financing, thereby generating greater value from our research. At a time when universities are facing an increasingly tight budgetary situation, we expect to see a commensurate return on investment in a few years’ time,” the university management teams said in a statement.
iHub is adopting a streamlined structure with a management team that is highly effective in operational terms. At the universities themselves, there are scouts who identify high-potential projects and spin-offs at an early stage and prepare them for transfer to the technology transfer company in accordance with defined criteria such as IP maturity, staffing structure or market potential. The Innovation Hub supports qualified spin-offs as they develop, providing mentoring and professional IP management on behalf of the universities. Shortly before or after the company is founded, the transfer company raises capital from funding and partner sources, enabling spin-offs to continue operating for 12 to 18 months until venture capitalists come on board. After that, the transfer company will withdraw from day-to-day operations but will remain involved as a passive shareholder. The advantage is that, thanks to this combined support and standardised processes, the spin-offs’ negotiating positions with venture capitalists are strengthened, leading to better terms and valuations.
For the three universities in Graz, the start-up culture has become a key driver of innovation, and iHub is intended to further strengthen this momentum. The start-ups emerging from the three universities are proof that the Styrian innovation ecosystem is working. Over the past ten years, they have produced around 200 spin-offs, which create highly skilled jobs and bring research findings to market quickly. Particularly strong sectors include life sciences and medtech (e.g. Innophore, PureSurf, Cycuria, BRAVE Analytics, elyte diagnostics, smaXtec), AI and cybersecurity (e.g. TACEO, Leftshift One), and green tech (e.g. Easelink, ProtectLIB).
The State’s Department of Economic Affairs and Raiffeisen Landesbank Steiermark are supporting Styrian start-ups with their own capital initiative. A total of ten million euros is available to help start-ups grow. The initiative is aimed at start-ups and scale-ups that are less than 10 years old, have successfully demonstrated ‘proof of market’ or are already on a growth trajectory.
So whilst iHub Graz guides promising academic spin-offs from Graz’s three universities to investment readiness, this latest capital initiative by the State of Styria, in partnership with the bank, complements this by providing targeted funding for the growth phase – funding that is ideally suited to the growth of the companies at iHub Graz.
iHub Graz will help retain start-ups in Graz’s innovation ecosystem and create further jobs in the region. At the same time, through iHub, the Medical University of Graz, TU Graz and the University of Graz are establishing Styria as a serious venture capital hub for deep tech and life sciences in the international venture capital community.
Once again, the universities in Graz are demonstrating their strength and innovative power as lying in their culture of collaboration. They do not operate as isolated units, but as a coordinated structure with distinct profiles and shared development goals. Partnerships such as BioTechMed-Graz and NAWI Graz are further examples of successful collaborative models in Graz. This benefits not only the universities themselves but also the local area.
Since 2013, the BioTechMed-Graz research collaboration has been bringing together cutting-edge biomedical research from the University of Graz, TU Graz and the Med Uni Graz at the interface between basic research, technology and medical applications. The focus is on joint research into key health issues, the promotion of early-career researchers and the shared use of research infrastructure. Furthermore, BioTechMed-Graz strengthens the exchange between science and society through networking initiatives and public events.
","start":null,"end":null,"author":null,"email":null,"keywords":null,"description":null,"topnews":false,"last_modified":"2026-07-15T14:09:49+02:00","language":6},{"id":16031,"url":"https://www.medunigraz.at/news/detail/innovation-hub-graz-macht-spitzen-spin-offs-gezielt-investor-ready#sl-content","media":[{"id":85366,"media":{"url":"https://api-test.medunigraz.at/typo3/media/72051/","original":"https://www.medunigraz.at/frontend/user_upload/events_news/202607/iHub/F-Scheriau-2026-iHub_PK-by-Scheriau-tugraz__6_.jpg","mimetype":"image/jpeg","filename":"F-Scheriau-2026-iHub_PK-by-Scheriau-tugraz__6_.jpg","size":2259449},"title":null,"description":null,"alternative":null},{"id":85367,"media":{"url":"https://api-test.medunigraz.at/typo3/media/72053/","original":"https://www.medunigraz.at/frontend/user_upload/events_news/202607/iHub/F-Scheriau-2026-iHub_PK-by-Scheriau-tugraz__8_.jpg","mimetype":"image/jpeg","filename":"F-Scheriau-2026-iHub_PK-by-Scheriau-tugraz__8_.jpg","size":2874201},"title":null,"description":null,"alternative":null},{"id":85368,"media":{"url":"https://api-test.medunigraz.at/typo3/media/72052/","original":"https://www.medunigraz.at/frontend/user_upload/events_news/202607/iHub/F-Scheriau-2026-iHub_PK-by-Scheriau-tugraz__16_.jpg","mimetype":"image/jpeg","filename":"F-Scheriau-2026-iHub_PK-by-Scheriau-tugraz__16_.jpg","size":2662434},"title":null,"description":null,"alternative":null},{"id":85369,"media":{"url":"https://api-test.medunigraz.at/typo3/media/72050/","original":"https://www.medunigraz.at/frontend/user_upload/events_news/202607/iHub/F-Scheriau-2026-iHub_PK-by-Scheriau-tugraz__22_.jpg","mimetype":"image/jpeg","filename":"F-Scheriau-2026-iHub_PK-by-Scheriau-tugraz__22_.jpg","size":2237645},"title":null,"description":null,"alternative":null},{"id":85370,"media":{"url":"https://api-test.medunigraz.at/typo3/media/72049/","original":"https://www.medunigraz.at/frontend/user_upload/events_news/202607/iHub/iHub-Gruppe-sitzend.png","mimetype":"image/png","filename":"iHub-Gruppe-sitzend.png","size":2199893},"title":null,"description":null,"alternative":null}],"gallery":[],"contact_box":[],"breadcrumb":[{"uid":61,"pid":8139,"title":"News-Storage","is_siteroot":false,"domains":[],"uri":null},{"uid":8139,"pid":0,"title":"Med Uni Graz","is_siteroot":true,"domains":["www.medunigraz.at"],"uri":"https://www.medunigraz.at/"}],"categories":[9,14,267,291],"groups":[],"related_links":[{"id":4070,"datetime":"2026-07-15T13:58:30+02:00","title":"Universität Graz","description":null,"url":"https://www.uni-graz.at/de/"},{"id":4071,"datetime":"2026-07-15T13:58:30+02:00","title":"TU Graz","description":null,"url":"https://www.tugraz.at/home"}],"related_media":[],"header_image":{"url":"https://api-test.medunigraz.at/typo3/media/70937/","original":"https://www.medunigraz.at/frontend/user_upload/events_news/_sujets/themen/applaus-glueckwunsch-handschlag/haende_schuetteln_AdobeStock_1297850815.jpeg","mimetype":"image/jpeg","filename":"haende_schuetteln_AdobeStock_1297850815.jpeg","size":5789634},"datetime":"2026-07-15T12:46:38+02:00","title":"„Innovation Hub Graz“ macht Spitzen-Spin-offs gezielt investor-ready","teaser":"Med Uni Graz, Universität Graz und TU Graz setzen auf Kooperation.","body":"Die Medizinische Universität Graz, die Universität Graz und die Technische Universität Graz bündeln einmal mehr ihre Kräfte und gründen einen gemeinsamen Innovation Hub Graz (iHub Graz). In diesem Transferzentrum werden ausgewählte, besonders vielversprechende akademische Spin-offs gezielt „investor-ready“ gemacht.
Der iHub Graz soll akademische Spin-offs in die nächste Finanzierungsphase führen, nach der Ausgründung die Lücke bis zum Einstieg von Risikokapitalgebern schließen und die Sichtbarkeit vielversprechender Grazer Spin-offs für internationale Investor*innen erhöhen.
Der iHub Graz ist bewusst als fokussierte Spitze innerhalb des etablierten Grazer Innovationsökosystems gedacht. Er setzt dort an, wo aus Forschungsideen bereits erste unternehmerische Ansätze entstanden sind, wo es aber noch Lücken und Hürden auf dem Weg zu Unternehmen gibt – etwa nach Programmen wie der Gründungsgarage, die Studierende und Forschende früh bei Gründungsvorhaben begleitet, und nach Inkubationsstrukturen wie den Science Park Graz oder Unicorn Graz, die Start-ups aus dem universitären Umfeld unterstützen. Ziel ist es, die besten universitären Gründungen im iHub Graz zusammenzuführen und gezielt auf Investitionsreife zu bringen.
Mit dem iHub Graz entsteht erstmals eine gemeinsame, klar sichtbare Schnittstelle nach außen. Investorinnen und Investoren verhandeln künftig nicht mehr mit einzelnen Universitäten, sondern mit einer zentralen Einrichtung und nach klar definierten IPR-Regelungen. Zugleich bleibt die enge Anbindung an die Universitäten gewahrt.
„Mit dem iHub Graz geben wir als Grazer Universitäten ein gemeinsames Leistungsversprechen: Wir bringen die besten Ideen schneller in den Markt, bündeln Ressourcen, bieten Investorinnen und Investoren im One-stop-shop-Prinzip eine gemeinsame Anlaufstelle und erhöhen die Investitionsreife – mit klarem Impact für Gesellschaft, Wirtschaft und Standort. Unser Maßstab sind Ergebnisse, nicht Zuständigkeiten“, so TU Graz-Rektor Horst Bischof, Uni Graz-Rektor Peter Riedler und Med Uni Graz-Vizerektor Alexander Rosenkranz unisono.
Der Aufbau des iHub Graz beginnt jetzt mit einer definierten Startphase. Die drei Universitäten sind zu je einem Drittel an der Transfergesellschaft beteiligt und statten den iHub Graz mit rund sechs Millionen Euro für die nächsten sieben Jahre aus, um ihn rasch in eine arbeitsfähige Struktur zu überführen. Parallel dazu wird die Geschäftsführung international ausgeschrieben. Gesucht wird eine Persönlichkeit mit ausgewiesener Erfahrung im Aufbau vergleichbarer Innovations- und Transferzentren, die den Innovations Hub Graz in den ersten Jahren unabhängig von kurzfristigen Finanzierungsdebatten strategisch weiterentwickelt.
„Mit dem iHub Graz entsteht eine zentrale Plattform für akademische Ausgründungen mit professionellem IP- und Beteiligungsmanagement, klaren Prozessen und direktem Zugang zu Infrastruktur und Investorennetzwerken. Unser klares Ziel ist ein nahtloser Übergang von der Förderung zu Beteiligung und Finanzierung und damit mehr Wertschöpfung aus unserer Forschung. In Zeiten zunehmend kritischer Budgetsituation für die Universitäten erwarten wir uns in einigen Jahren einen angemessenen Return on Investment“, so die Universitätsleitungen unisono.
Der iHub Graz bekommt eine schlanke Struktur mit operativ schlagkräftiger Geschäftsführung. An den Unis selbst gibt es Scouts, die High-Potential Projekte und Spin-offs frühzeitig identifizieren und die Überführung in die Transfergesellschaft nach definierten Kriterien wie IP-Reife, Personalstruktur oder Marktpotenzial vorbereiten. Der Innovation Hub unterstützt die qualifizierten Spin-offs auf ihrem Weg, übernimmt Mentoring und professionelles IP-Management im Auftrag der Universitäten. Kurz vor bzw. nach der Gründung organisiert die Transfergesellschaft Kapital aus Förder- und Partnerquellen, sodass Spin-offs 12 bis 18 Monate weiterarbeiten können, bis Venture Capitalists einsteigen. Danach zieht sich die Transfergesellschaft operativ zurück, bleibt aber als passiver Anteilseigner dabei. Der Vorteil: dank dieser gebündelten Unterstützung und standardisierter Prozesse verbessert sich die Verhandlungsposition der Spin-offs gegenüber den Risikokapitalgebern und führt zu besseren Konditionen und Bewertungen.
Für die drei Grazer Universitäten ist die Ausgründungskultur zu einem wichtigen Innovationsmotor geworden und der iHub Graz soll diese Dynamik weiter verstärken. Es wird erwartet, dass sich gleichzeitig immer rund zehn akademische Spin-offs im iHub Graz befinden. Dass das steirische Innovationsökosystem funktioniert, zeigen die Unternehmensgründungen aus dem Umfeld der drei Unis: In den vergangenen zehn Jahren haben sie rund 200 Ausgründungen hervorgebracht, die hochqualifizierte Arbeitsplätze schaffen und Forschungsergebnisse rasch in den Markt bringen. Besonders stark sind die Bereiche Life Sciences und MedTech (z.B. Innophore, PureSurf, Cycuria, BRAVE Analytics, elyte diagnostics, smaXtec), AI und Cybersecurity (z.B. TACEO, Leftshift One), sowie Green Tech (z.B. Easelink, ProtectLIB).
Das Wirtschaftsressort des Landes und die Raiffeisen Landesbank Steiermark unterstützen steirische Startups mit einer eigenen Kapitaloffensive. Insgesamt stehen zehn Millionen Euro zur Verfügung, die Startups dabei helfen sollen, zu wachsen. Die Offensive richtet sich an Startups und Scaleups, die jünger als 10 Jahre sind, den „Proof of Market“ erfolgreich erbracht haben oder sich bereits auf Wachstumskurs befinden.
Während also der iHub Graz erfolgversprechende akademische Spin-offs der drei Grazer Unis zur Investitionsreife führt, stellt diese aktuelle Kapitaloffensive von Land Steiermark mit dem Bankpartner ergänzend dazu gezielt Mittel für die Wachstumsphase bereit, die ideal sind für das Wachstum der Firmen im iHub Graz.
Der iHub Graz wird junge Unternehmen im Grazer Innovationsökosystem halten und in der Region weitere Arbeitsplätze schaffen. Zugleich verankern Med Uni Graz, TU Graz und Uni Graz mit dem iHub Graz die Steiermark als ernstzunehmenden Venture Capital-Standort für DeepTech und Life Sciences unter der internationalen Venture Capital Community.
Einmal mehr beweisen die Grazer Universitäten damit, dass ihre Stärke und Innovationskraft in ihrer Kooperationskultur begründet ist. Sie agieren nicht als isolierte Einheiten, sondern als abgestimmtes Gefüge mit klaren Profilen und gemeinsamen Entwicklungszielen. Kooperationen wie BioTechMed-Graz, NAWI Graz oder das neu gegründete Cori-Institut mit der ÖAW sind weitere kooperative Grazer Erfolgsmodelle. Von dieser Kooperationskultur profitieren nicht nur die Unis selbst sondern auch der Standort.
Die Forschungskooperation BioTechMed-Graz bündelt seit 2013 die biomedizinische Spitzenforschung von Uni Graz, TU Graz und Med Uni Graz an der Schnittstelle zwischen Grundlagenforschung, Technologie und medizinischer Anwendung. Im Fokus stehen gemeinsame Forschung an zentralen Gesundheitsthemen, die Förderung des wissenschaftlichen Nachwuchses sowie die gemeinsame Nutzung von Forschungsinfrastruktur. Darüber hinaus stärkt BioTechMed-Graz mit Vernetzungsformaten und öffentlichen Veranstaltungen den Austausch zwischen Wissenschaft und Gesellschaft.
Fotocredit: Erwin Scheriau/TU Graz
","start":null,"end":null,"author":null,"email":null,"keywords":null,"description":null,"topnews":false,"last_modified":"2026-07-15T13:58:30+02:00","language":null},{"id":16035,"url":"https://www.medunigraz.at/news/detail/neugier-auf-medizin-wecken-schulklasse-zu-besuch#sl-content","media":[],"gallery":[{"id":85383,"media":{"url":"https://api-test.medunigraz.at/typo3/media/72042/","original":"https://www.medunigraz.at/frontend/user_upload/events_news/202607/hno-schulbesuch.jpg","mimetype":"image/jpeg","filename":"hno-schulbesuch.jpg","size":1290438},"title":null,"description":"Alexandros Andrianakis and the pupils in the IB class","alternative":"Alexandros Andrianakis and the pupils in the IB class"},{"id":85384,"media":{"url":"https://api-test.medunigraz.at/typo3/media/72043/","original":"https://www.medunigraz.at/frontend/user_upload/events_news/202607/hno-schulbesuch-2.jpg","mimetype":"image/jpeg","filename":"hno-schulbesuch-2.jpg","size":675718},"title":null,"description":"Sparking an interest in medicine","alternative":"Sparking an interest in medicine"},{"id":85385,"media":{"url":"https://api-test.medunigraz.at/typo3/media/72044/","original":"https://www.medunigraz.at/frontend/user_upload/events_news/202607/hno-schulbesuch-3.jpg","mimetype":"image/jpeg","filename":"hno-schulbesuch-3.jpg","size":818710},"title":null,"description":"Workshop provides a practical introduction to medicine and research","alternative":"Workshop provides a practical introduction to medicine and research"}],"contact_box":[],"breadcrumb":[{"uid":61,"pid":8139,"title":"News-Storage","is_siteroot":false,"domains":[],"uri":null},{"uid":8139,"pid":0,"title":"Med Uni Graz","is_siteroot":true,"domains":["www.medunigraz.at"],"uri":"https://www.medunigraz.at/"}],"categories":[9,14,314,315],"groups":[],"related_links":[{"id":4080,"datetime":"2026-07-16T08:29:16+02:00","title":"Alexandros Andrianakis","description":null,"url":"https://online.medunigraz.at/mug_online/visitenkarte.show_vcard?pPersonenId=898953A4C896A3C8&pPersonenGruppe=3"}],"related_media":[],"header_image":{"url":"https://api-test.medunigraz.at/typo3/media/71627/","original":"https://www.medunigraz.at/frontend/user_upload/events_news/_sujets/veranstaltungen/Kinder_event_1820333730_rawpixel-com.jpg","mimetype":"image/jpeg","filename":"Kinder_event_1820333730_rawpixel-com.jpg","size":1173872},"datetime":"2026-07-14T08:52:17+02:00","title":"Sparking an interest in medicine: a school class visits","teaser":"A visit to the Department of Otorhinolaryngology provided fascinating insights into medicine and research.","body":"Whilst pupils across Austria have now started their summer holidays, the International Baccalaureate (IB) class at Smart City Graz Primary School had one more special item on their timetable just before the end of term. A visit to the Department of Otorhinolaryngology at the Medical University of Graz offered fascinating insights into medicine, research and everyday life at the clinic.
The International Baccalaureate (IB) is an internationally recognised, English-language school programme with a challenging curriculum specifically designed to prepare pupils for future university studies. For this reason, the workshop – which lasted around two and a half hours – was conducted entirely in English.
Following an introduction to ear, nose and throat medicine and research at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, the pupils set off on a tour of discovery. Among other places, they visited the outpatient clinic, the wards, the operating theatre, the lecture theatre and the research laboratories. To round off the session, the pupils were able to get hands-on and experience first-hand what medicine and research look like in practice at various interactive stations.
The workshop was organised and led by ENT specialist Alexandros Andrianakis, who is regularly involved in fostering exchange between the scientific community and schools.
“I am very keen to get involved in such initiatives as an OeAD science ambassador, because they give children direct and engaging access to medicine and science. In ENT medicine in particular, it is possible to convey a great deal of information in a clear and engaging way and to actively involve the children, whether through experimentation, observation or joint discovery. My motivation is to spark curiosity, break down reservations and show that research is not abstract, but has a direct connection to people and health. In my view, such encounters are an important part of science communication and social responsibility.
I also consider such initiatives to be very valuable for us as a university, because they demonstrate what university medicine stands for: creating knowledge, passing on knowledge and taking responsibility towards society. I can only encourage my colleagues to get involved too. It is a very enriching experience, both for the children and for ourselves, because their questions, their openness and their enthusiasm often allow us to see our own subject in a whole new light,” says Alexandros Andrianakis.
We wish all the schoolchildren – and our own students too – a wonderful summer holiday and would like to thank Smart City Graz Primary School for their visit.
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Die International Baccalaureate (IB) ist eine international anerkannte, englischsprachige Schulausbildung mit einem anspruchsvollen Lehrplan, der gezielt auf ein späteres Universitätsstudium vorbereitet. Deshalb wurde auch der rund zweieinhalbstündige Workshop vollständig auf Englisch abgehalten.
Nach einer Einführung in die Hals-, Nasen- und Ohrenheilkunde und die Forschung an der Universitätsklinik ging es für die Schüler*innen auf Entdeckungstour. Sie besuchten unter anderem die Ambulanz, die Stationen, den Operationssaal, den Hörsaal und die Forschungslabore. Zum Abschluss konnten die Schüler*innen selbst aktiv werden und bei verschiedenen Hands-on-Stationen erleben, wie Medizin und Forschung in der Praxis aussehen.
Organisiert und durchgeführt wurde der Workshop von HNO-Arzt Alexandros Andrianakis, der sich regelmäßig für den Austausch zwischen Wissenschaft und Schule engagiert.
„Ich engagiere mich sehr gerne bei solchen Aktionen als Wissenschaftsbotschafter des OeAD, weil sie Kindern einen unmittelbaren und lebendigen Zugang zu Medizin und Wissenschaft ermöglichen. Besonders in der HNO-Heilkunde kann man viele Inhalte anschaulich vermitteln und die Kinder aktiv einbinde, sei es durch Ausprobieren, Beobachten oder gemeinsames Entdecken. Meine Motivation ist es, Neugier zu wecken, Berührungsängste abzubauen und zu zeigen, dass Forschung nicht abstrakt ist, sondern einen direkten Bezug zum Menschen und zur Gesundheit hat. Solche Begegnungen sind aus meiner Sicht ein wichtiger Teil von Wissenschaftskommunikation und gesellschaftlicher Verantwortung.
Ich halte solche Initiativen auch für uns als Universität für sehr wertvoll, weil sie zeigen, wofür universitäre Medizin steht: Wissen schaffen, Wissen weitergeben und Verantwortung gegenüber der Gesellschaft übernehmen. Ich kann Kolleg*innen nur ermutigen, sich ebenfalls zu engagieren. Es ist eine sehr bereichernde Erfahrung, sowohl für die Kinder, aber auch für uns selbst, weil ihre Fragen, ihre Offenheit und ihre Begeisterung oft einen ganz neuen Blick auf das eigene Fach ermöglichen“, sagt Alexandros Andrianakis.
Wir wünschen allen Schüler*innen und auch unseren Studierenden schöne Sommerferien und danken der Volksschule Smart City Graz für den Besuch.
","start":null,"end":null,"author":null,"email":null,"keywords":null,"description":null,"topnews":false,"last_modified":"2026-07-14T09:06:20+02:00","language":null},{"id":16013,"url":"https://www.medunigraz.at/news/detail/kongress-des-lung-research-clusters-2026#sl-content","media":[],"gallery":[],"contact_box":[],"breadcrumb":[{"uid":61,"pid":8139,"title":"News-Storage","is_siteroot":false,"domains":[],"uri":null},{"uid":8139,"pid":0,"title":"Med Uni Graz","is_siteroot":true,"domains":["www.medunigraz.at"],"uri":"https://www.medunigraz.at/"}],"categories":[9,14,314,315],"groups":[],"related_links":[{"id":4069,"datetime":"2026-08-28T09:55:11+02:00","title":"Lung Research Cluster","description":null,"url":"https://www.medunigraz.at/en/research-units/lung-research-cluster"}],"related_media":[],"header_image":{"url":"https://api-test.medunigraz.at/typo3/media/71304/","original":"https://www.medunigraz.at/frontend/user_upload/events_news/_sujets/medizin/organe/lunge_AdobeStock_1034134556.jpeg","mimetype":"image/jpeg","filename":"lunge_AdobeStock_1034134556.jpeg","size":12147644},"datetime":"2026-07-14T08:38:22+02:00","title":"Lung Research Cluster Conference 2026","teaser":"The focus was on chronic and age-related lung diseases.","body":"The Lung Research Cluster (LRC) Congress 2026, entitled “When Healthy Aging Goes Wrong: From Chronic Lung Diseases to Cancer – Mechanisms, Biomarkers, and Interventions”, recently took place at the Medical University of Graz.
The congress brought together internationally renowned experts in pulmonary vascular disease, fibrosis, COPD, asthma, interstitial lung disease, regeneration, and lung cancer to discuss the molecular mechanisms driving chronic lung diseases and age-related lung pathology, as well as emerging biomarkers and therapeutic strategies.
Keynote lectures were delivered by leading scientists including Corey E. Ventetuolo, Rosa Faner and Kristine Konopka. The meeting provided a highly interdisciplinary platform that brought together clinicians and researchers from Pneumology, OLRC, Pathology, Thoracic Surgery, and Oncology, enabling chronic lung diseases and lung cancer to be explored from multiple clinical and scientific perspectives. Through this close cross-disciplinary exchange, participants discussed mechanisms of lung aging and translational strategies aimed at improving future diagnostics, biomarkers, and therapeutic interventions.
","start":null,"end":null,"author":null,"email":null,"keywords":null,"description":null,"topnews":false,"last_modified":"2026-08-28T09:55:11+02:00","language":6},{"id":16010,"url":"https://www.medunigraz.at/news/detail/auszeichnung-fuer-genetische-forschung-zu-erkrankungen-der-lungengefaesse#sl-content","media":[],"gallery":[],"contact_box":[],"breadcrumb":[{"uid":61,"pid":8139,"title":"News-Storage","is_siteroot":false,"domains":[],"uri":null},{"uid":8139,"pid":0,"title":"Med Uni Graz","is_siteroot":true,"domains":["www.medunigraz.at"],"uri":"https://www.medunigraz.at/"}],"categories":[9,14,287,299],"groups":[],"related_links":[{"id":4065,"datetime":"2026-08-24T13:58:34+02:00","title":"Vasile Foris","description":null,"url":"https://ris.medunigraz.at/de/persons/ba5bc086-8868-4883-a053-78be237c792c"},{"id":4066,"datetime":"2026-07-13T11:19:22+02:00","title":"Division of Respiratory Medicine","description":null,"url":"https://pneumologie.medunigraz.at/en/"}],"related_media":[],"header_image":{"url":"https://api-test.medunigraz.at/typo3/media/71305/","original":"https://www.medunigraz.at/frontend/user_upload/events_news/_sujets/medizin/organe/lunge_AdobeStock_1158967167.jpeg","mimetype":"image/jpeg","filename":"lunge_AdobeStock_1158967167.jpeg","size":5899224},"datetime":"2026-07-13T09:51:43+02:00","title":"Award for genetic research into pulmonary vascular diseases","teaser":"Vasile Foris received an award at the American Thoracic Society’s annual conference.","body":"Vasile Foris from the Division of Respiratory Medicine was awarded an ATS Abstract Scholarship at the annual meeting of the American Thoracic Society (ATS) in Orlando, Florida. The award is presented by the ATS Assembly on Pulmonary Circulation for scientific work of exceptional quality in the field of pulmonary vascular research.
Since 2024, Vasile Foris has been conducting research at Harvard Medical School in Boston, USA, within the Channing Division of Network Medicine. There, he is investigating the genetic and molecular basis of diseases affecting the pulmonary circulation and is working with international research teams to develop new approaches to precision medicine.
The award recognised his paper ‘Genetic Determinants of Pulmonary Artery Enlargement in Over 50,000 Subjects With and Without COPD’. The study analysed genetic data from more than 50,000 individuals, making it the largest genetic study to date on the structure of pulmonary vessels worldwide. The findings provide new insights into the biological mechanisms that influence the structure of the pulmonary vessels. The work thus contributes to a better understanding of the aetiology of pulmonary vascular diseases and could, in the long term, open up new avenues for diagnosis and treatment.
“The award underscores the international visibility of Graz-based research in the field of genetics and multiomics relating to pulmonary vascular diseases. Modern genomic and multi-omic technologies open up new possibilities for better understanding disease mechanisms and, in the long term, developing more precise diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. At the same time, it demonstrates the great value of international research collaborations for scientific progress and the further development of precision medicine,” explains Vasile Foris.
The research was funded by a research grant from the Austrian Society of Pneumology (ÖGP), a Max Kade Fellowship and a TOPMed Fellowship. This funding enabled the research stay at Harvard Medical School and collaboration with leading international centres for genetic and translational lung research.
The Medical University of Graz extends its warmest congratulations on this success!
","start":null,"end":null,"author":null,"email":null,"keywords":null,"description":null,"topnews":false,"last_modified":"2026-08-24T13:58:48+02:00","language":6},{"id":16007,"url":"https://www.medunigraz.at/news/detail/med-uni-graz-gleich-doppelt-fuer-den-pr-panther-2026-nominiert#sl-content","media":[],"gallery":[],"contact_box":[],"breadcrumb":[{"uid":61,"pid":8139,"title":"News-Storage","is_siteroot":false,"domains":[],"uri":null},{"uid":8139,"pid":0,"title":"Med Uni Graz","is_siteroot":true,"domains":["www.medunigraz.at"],"uri":"https://www.medunigraz.at/"}],"categories":[9,266,299],"groups":[],"related_links":[{"id":4061,"datetime":"2026-07-10T13:59:19+02:00","title":"Zur Abstimmung","description":null,"url":"https://voting.pr-panther.com/projekt-voting"}],"related_media":[],"header_image":{"url":"https://api-test.medunigraz.at/typo3/media/70814/","original":"https://www.medunigraz.at/frontend/user_upload/events_news/_sujets/themen/applaus-glueckwunsch-handschlag/applaus-AdobeStock_123793153.jpeg","mimetype":"image/jpeg","filename":"applaus-AdobeStock_123793153.jpeg","size":3722718},"datetime":"2026-07-10T12:00:00+02:00","title":"Med Uni Graz gleich doppelt für den PR-Panther 2026 nominiert","teaser":"Ab sofort in der Kategorie PR-Projekt für unser Nachrichtenmagazin MEDitio sowie das neue Newsportal Insights voten.","body":"Unsere Kommunikationsprojekte sind für den PR-Panther nominiert – und jetzt zählt jede Stimme!
Unterstützen Sie die MEDitio sowie unser Nachrichtenportal Insights beim Public Voting und helfen Sie mit, die großartige Kommunikationsarbeit der Med Uni Graz sichtbar zu machen. Pro Tag kann jeweils eine Stimme (pro angemeldeter E-Mail-Adresse) abgegeben werden. Ende der Abstimmung: 10.8.2026.
Hier geht's zur Abstimmung: https://voting.pr-panther.com/projekt-voting
So funktioniert's:
Vielen Dank für Ihre Unterstützung und fürs Mitmachen!
","start":null,"end":null,"author":null,"email":null,"keywords":null,"description":null,"topnews":false,"last_modified":"2026-07-10T13:59:19+02:00","language":null},{"id":16008,"url":"https://www.medunigraz.at/news/detail/med-uni-graz-gleich-doppelt-fuer-den-pr-panther-2026-nominiert#sl-content","media":[],"gallery":[],"contact_box":[],"breadcrumb":[{"uid":61,"pid":8139,"title":"News-Storage","is_siteroot":false,"domains":[],"uri":null},{"uid":8139,"pid":0,"title":"Med Uni Graz","is_siteroot":true,"domains":["www.medunigraz.at"],"uri":"https://www.medunigraz.at/"}],"categories":[9,266,299],"groups":[],"related_links":[{"id":4062,"datetime":"2026-07-10T14:00:07+02:00","title":"Vote here","description":null,"url":"https://voting.pr-panther.com/projekt-voting"}],"related_media":[],"header_image":{"url":"https://api-test.medunigraz.at/typo3/media/70814/","original":"https://www.medunigraz.at/frontend/user_upload/events_news/_sujets/themen/applaus-glueckwunsch-handschlag/applaus-AdobeStock_123793153.jpeg","mimetype":"image/jpeg","filename":"applaus-AdobeStock_123793153.jpeg","size":3722718},"datetime":"2026-07-10T12:00:00+02:00","title":"Med Uni Graz nominated twice for the PR Panther 2026","teaser":"You can now vote in the ‘PR Project’ category for our news magazine MEDitio and the new news portal Insights.","body":"Our communications projects have been nominated for the PR Panther – and every vote counts now!
Please support MEDitio and our news portal Insights in the public vote and help raise the profile of the excellent communication work carried out by the Medical University of Graz. You can cast one vote per day (per registered email address). Voting closes on 10 August 2026.
Click here to vote: https://voting.pr-panther.com/projekt-voting
Here’s how it works:
Thank you very much for your support and for taking part!
","start":null,"end":null,"author":null,"email":null,"keywords":null,"description":null,"topnews":false,"last_modified":"2026-07-10T14:00:13+02:00","language":6},{"id":16005,"url":"https://www.medunigraz.at/news/detail/wenn-hitze-auf-emotionen-trifft#sl-content","media":[],"gallery":[],"contact_box":[],"breadcrumb":[{"uid":61,"pid":8139,"title":"News-Storage","is_siteroot":false,"domains":[],"uri":null},{"uid":8139,"pid":0,"title":"Med Uni Graz","is_siteroot":true,"domains":["www.medunigraz.at"],"uri":"https://www.medunigraz.at/"}],"categories":[9,14,268,271,275,287],"groups":[],"related_links":[{"id":4056,"datetime":"2026-07-10T08:37:16+02:00","title":"period.","description":null,"url":"https://period.at/"},{"id":4057,"datetime":"2026-07-10T08:37:16+02:00","title":"To the article (German)","description":null,"url":"https://period.at/articles/wenn-hitze-auf-emotionen-trifft"},{"id":4058,"datetime":"2026-07-10T08:37:16+02:00","title":"Nina Dalkner","description":null,"url":"https://ris.medunigraz.at/de/persons/f1f3cc70-ee0b-4394-bfb8-4f62b175a9a2"},{"id":4059,"datetime":"2026-07-10T08:37:16+02:00","title":"Division of Psychiatry and Psychotherapeutic Medicine","description":null,"url":"https://psychiatrie-psychotherapeutische-medizin.medunigraz.at/en/"}],"related_media":[],"header_image":{"url":"https://api-test.medunigraz.at/typo3/media/71220/","original":"https://www.medunigraz.at/frontend/user_upload/events_news/_sujets/medizin/psychiatrie/Psychiatrie-AdobeStock_514755724.png","mimetype":"image/png","filename":"Psychiatrie-AdobeStock_514755724.png","size":14185150},"datetime":"2026-07-10T08:16:06+02:00","title":"When heat meets emotion","teaser":"Nina Dalkner talks to period. about the mental health effects of the heat.","body":"When temperatures rise, our bodies work flat out to regulate our body temperature. But what happens to our mental state when we expose ourselves to the scorching rays of the sun? The link between heat, hormones and our emotional well-being is of great significance here.
“The skin has its own endocrine system,” explains Nina Dalkner, Scientific Director at the university department for Psychiatry and Psychotherapeutic Medicine at the Medical University of Graz. Put simply, this means that the skin transmits hormones and neurotransmitters from the outside into the bloodstream. The hormones associated with sunlight and how they interact with one another is a highly complex process. According to Dalkner, vitamin D, melatonin, ACTH, β-endorphin and β-lipotropin are some of the key hormones in summer. Hormones act as the real driving forces, establishing the link between the heat, our bodies and their reactions.
Vitamin D plays a crucial role in the body and is produced naturally when sunlight hits our skin. It influences a wide range of hormonal processes that can affect our mental state. In particular, it plays a key role in the production of the neurotransmitter serotonin. This neurotransmitter, in turn, plays an important role in regulating mood. It is a neurotransmitter involved in communication between nerve cells in the brain and fulfils a wide range of functions in the body. Colloquially, serotonin is also known as the ‘happiness hormone’, as it has a mood-lifting effect and supports the natural day-night rhythm.
However, alongside the mood-lifting rays of sunshine, summer also brings with it oppressive heat. The human body has to work particularly hard and operates at full capacity to cool itself down. The two main methods are, firstly, the familiar process of sweating, in which the sweat glands in the skin produce sweat that then evaporates on the skin’s surface. Secondly, the body also utilises vasodilation. This involves the blood vessels widening to carry more blood to the skin’s surface, allowing heat to be released and the body to cool down. Not only does this sound exhausting, it actually is. These processes drain the human body’s entire energy reserves, which is why we just want to get into bed. Some people might now suggest ‘just having a nap’. However, what sounds so simple turns out to be rather difficult for people who do not have air conditioning. Temperatures above 30 degrees have been shown to impair sleep, as the circulatory system has to work constantly to cool the body down and prevent it from overheating.
Just like the sun’s rays, the heat stimulates hormone production. “Studies have shown that in hot weather, there is an increase in the production of the hormone vasopressin (also known as antidiuretic hormone or ADH), which is linked to aggressive behaviour,” says Dalkner. This constant exhaustion, combined with circulatory-related sleep deprivation and the production of hormones such as vasopressin, leads to a negative outlook. We become irritated more quickly and our tolerance for frustration drops considerably. Psychologist Craig Anderson from Iowa State University in the USA also found in a study that people’s propensity for violence rises significantly at temperatures above 32 degrees.
Vitamin D is produced by sunlight on our skin. It plays an important role in regulating neurotransmitters in the brain, such as serotonin. Serotonin is often referred to as the ‘happiness hormone’ as it regulates mood. A vitamin D deficiency – and consequently a serotonin deficiency – can lead to mood disorders such as depression.
Melatonin, the so-called ‘sleep hormone’, is produced in the dark and tells us when it is time to sleep. Our melatonin levels are lower in summer than in winter, as the days are longer. The possible consequences of too little melatonin in the blood include difficulty falling asleep and a delayed sleep-wake cycle.
ACTH is produced in the pituitary gland. Among other things, it regulates the production and release of cortisol in the adrenal cortex. Cortisone is released as part of the body’s stress response, which is why ACTH is colloquially referred to as the ‘stress hormone’. Elevated cortisone levels can cause us to feel tense, restless or anxious.
β-endorphin is a naturally occurring opioid peptide produced in the body. It acts as the body’s own painkiller and neurotransmitter. β-endorphin is mainly produced and released in the pituitary gland. It can relieve pain, enhance well-being and have a positive effect on mood.
β-lipotropin (β-LPH) is a precursor hormone formed in the pituitary gland. It regulates fat metabolism and the mobilisation of fat reserves. β-lipotropin also influences skin pigmentation by regulating melanin production. In addition, it plays a role in modulating the immune response and regulating inflammation.
Text source: Nadja Riahi, Elena Anna Rieser and Maria Lovrić-Anušić, period., 26 June 2026
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