Research

Analyzing & perturbing pathological protein functions

We investigate the functional role of oncoproteins and tumor-suppressors such as transcription factors, kinases and phosphatases in normal cell growth and in tumorigenesis:

Hartl: We study the involvement of the transcription factor complex AP-1 (JUN/FOS) in cancerogenesis. Hereby we focus on AP-1 affected gene expression in unique cancer cell models. Furthermore, synergistic oncogene functions in metazoan development are investigated.

Schneider: We analyze and perturb activities and interactions of the PP2A-specific ubiquitin ligase MID1 in tumorigenesis (MYC) and aging (FOXO3A).

Bister (Emeritus): Molecular cancer research including analyses of oncogenes and proto-oncogenes such as MYC or RAF, and strategies for interference with oncogene function.

Investigation of metabolic diseases

We study metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), previously known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease:

Ramos Pittol: Our mission is to gain mechanistic insights into the etiology of MASLD from the liver-intestine-adipose axis perspective and contribute to the identification of novel therapeutic avenues. 

Systematic quantifications of molecular interactions & modifications

We analyze molecular interactions which are relevant for physiological and pathological cellular communication. Cancer or neurodegenerative diseases can be thought of as pathological alterations of molecular interactions:

Schneider: We study structure/function relationships of proteins and their pharmaceutical modulation with emphasis on components of the human ubiquitin system and its implications in human diseases like prostate cancer, movement disorders, and on embryonic malformations like the Opitz-Syndrome. In addition the role of the E3 ubiquitin ligase MID1, mTOR and PP2A in the regulation of specific local mRNA translation and its implications in intellectual disability syndromes are studied.

Cell-based Biotechnology

We apply unique biotechnological approaches to study defined molecular interactions in distinct cellular settings and for novel expression/selection systems for downstream processing in the bacterial cell system:

Schneider: Within the Austrian Center for Industrial Biotechnology (ACIB) we are engaged in the development and optimization of biotechnological methods, mainly novel expression/selection systems (patents) and tools for downstream processing. Also we are keen on reprogramming proteases to generate novel tools for establishing a generally and pharmaceutically relevant protein expression system for proteins and peptides in E. coli (WO2025163019, US20220380739, WO2021/028577, US9677107, US20140170701, US20140170702, US20120184624, US20120208233, US8202696).