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>> Algorithm Identifies Vulnerabilities in Calcium Channels
A computer model developed by a research team at the University of Innsbruck can detect disease-relevant genetic variants in calcium channels. Corresponding laboratory studies confirmed the model’s predictions in all tested cases. The model serves as the basis for further investigations of mutations in regions of calcium channels that have not yet been functionally characterized.

>> Cone Snail Toxin for Pain Relief
An international research team led by the Medical University of Vienna, in collaboration with the University of Innsbruck, has investigated a new peptide derived from the venom of a cone snail, which significantly reduced inflammation-induced pain in an animal model. The study results thus provide an important foundation for the development of new non- -opioid pain medications that are significantly gentler to use and were recently published in the journal *Nature Structural and Molecular Biology*.

>> Can­cer research: MYC ant­ago­nist deco­ded in gre­a­ter detail
The cancer factor MYC has been the focus of Markus Hartl's research for years. The biochemist's research group is pursuing an approach that aims to reactivate BASP1 – a natural antagonist of MYC – in tumor cells. A study recently published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) now shows that this approach can work.