Großforschungsprojekte

The DK-MCD offers an excellence PhD program that provides an in-depth, multidisciplinary training in biomedical research in a stimulating international environment. The thesis projects focus on aspects of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases that integrate basic research and clinically-oriented sciences utilizing a wide spectrum of state-of-the-art techniques.

The aim of the doctoral program "Metabolic and Cardiovascular Disease" (DK-MCD) is to train students in various areas of biomedicine enabling them to perform original and independent research. The research in Graz in the field of lipid metabolism is traditionally defined by highly competitive, externally funded, inter-university research networks which promote efficient use of common resources, exchange of ideas as well as technical expertise and they link research activities at the Medical University of Graz (Med Uni Graz), the University of Graz (UG), and the Graz University of Technology (TUG). Interlaboratory cooperation and communication with a broad spectrum of experimental and technical expertise have been well established and created a "laboratories without walls" environment in Graz, which is supported by the policies and infrastructure of the host institutions.

The goal of the program is to secure and maintain a long-term, internationally competitive doctoral program in biomedical research. The DK-MCD aims to establish a center of educational excellence in metabolic and cardiovascular disease that draws extensively on synergistic interactions between laboratories and enhances the national and international visibility of this consortium, particularly among PhD students. The multidisciplinary DK-MCD provides a broad translational approach to research that encompasses aspects from basic knowledge of fundamental mechanisms to medical applications. We devised the program to be attractive for students of both life sciences and medicine who intend to pursue a career in academia or industry. We offer a unique network of internationally well-known scientists and newly recruited faculty members of the three participating universities in Graz. In summary the doctoral program strives to provide excellent education in life sciences with a particular focus on biomedical research.

The doc.fund “Molecular Metabolism” is an international PhD training program for outstanding students in the molecular biosciences, who wish to Learn and Explore the Scientific field of "Molecular Metabolism" (MOBILES).  MOBILES was approved as 1 out of 6 Austrian consortia for a 4-year funding period starting in 10/2019 by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF). The doc.fund “Molecular Metabolism” (MOBILES) aims to provide outstanding scientific training to exceptional young scientists in different areas of molecular biology, infection biology and biochemistry. The program is offered by the University of Graz and currently hosts 10 investigators (FACULTY). Based on these areas of expertise, dissertation research within the program addresses questions relevant to

• diet- and age-related changes in metabolism,
• regulation of lipid metabolism and
• bacterial modulators of metabolism.

Due to the expertise of our consortium, diverse model organisms [bacteria, yeast, cell culture, fly & mouse, (BYCFM)] or combinations thereof will be employed to best address each of the MOBILES research questions.

Lipid hydrolases are key enzymes involved in cell growth and proliferation, cell signaling, and energy metabolism in humans and all other organisms. The involvement of lipid hydrolases in metabolic pathways is multifaceted, complex, and largely unexplored. The identity of many mammalian lipid hydrolases remains elusive and the biochemical and physiological functions of known enzymes are insufficiently understood. The SFB Lipid Hydrolysis will - as a whole - contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the structure, function, and physiological impact of lipid hydrolases, thus revealing new principles of lipid and energy metabolism in the pathogenesis of metabolic diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease/steatohepatitis, and cancer.

The SFB Lipid Hydrolysis will join forces and combine innovative approaches to better understand how intracellular lipid hydrolases affect lipid degradation pathways.

The consortium of the SFB Lipid Hydrolysis is represented by Dagmar Kratky as speaker and Rudolf Zechner as deputy speaker.