FWF grants boost cutting-edge research at the Medical University of Graz

The Medical University of Graz has achieved another significant success in securing competitive research funding: no fewer than five research projects have been selected for funding by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF) and are either already underway or will commence in the coming months. The projects address key challenges in modern medicine – ranging from rare lung diseases and cancer diagnostics to metabolic disorders – and underscore the high scientific quality and innovative strength of research at the Medical University of Graz.

The FWF is regarded as the most important institution for funding basic research in Austria. Funding is awarded following an international peer review process and thus stands for scientific excellence of the highest standard.

Five projects, five topics for the future

• Early detection of life-threatening vascular diseases of the lung
  Led by Grazyna Kwapiszewska-Marsh, the project “Collagen fingerprinting for the stratification of PH patients” how molecular changes in the lungs can be used to diagnose pulmonary hypertension earlier and more accurately.
• New insights into lipid metabolism
  Melanie Korbelius’s project “Reverse Lipid Transport in Enterocytes” investigates the role of different fat stores in the gut and their influence on metabolism. The findings could open up new approaches to treating obesity and other metabolic diseases.
• Liquid biopsy for improved cancer diagnostics
  In her project, Maria Anna Smolle is investigating the clinical application of liquid biopsy in chondrosarcomas. The aim is to detect bone tumours earlier using blood analyses, better predict disease progression and identify relapses more quickly.
• New treatment option for pulmonary fibrosis
  In the “INALOX-PF” project, Valentina Biasin is developing an innovative inhaled therapeutic approach for patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The research could pave the way for a new treatment option for a condition that has so far been difficult to treat.
• Fasting, obesity and healthy metabolic regulation
  Andreas Prokesch’s project focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying the positive effects of fasting. The focus is on the interaction between the proteins p53 and FOXO1 and their significance for obesity and metabolic syndrome.

The Medical University of Graz warmly congratulates all project leaders and their teams on this success and wishes them every success in implementing the projects!

The Research Management team is happy to advise. Contact details can be found on the Medical University of Graz intranet at https://muniverse.medunigraz.at/forschung/ueberblick/zustaendigkeiten