Vetmeduni: Physiology and Biophysics

We are divided into three working groups

The Pohl working group is concerned with the regulation and function of membrane proteins, in particular mitochondrial proteins.

The Schmalwieser group is concerned with the biological effect of solar ultraviolet radiation and its change due to climate change, and the photobiological effect of artificial ultraviolet radiation, taking into account increasing environmental pollution and scarcity of resources.

The Nowikovsky working group is concerned with the cross-communication between succinate dehydrogenase and fatty acid biosynthesis.

Head

Foto: Stephanie Scholz

Head of Unit

Univ.-Prof. Dr.med. Elena Pohl
T +43 1 25077-4570
E-Mail

NEWS:

In April 2025, our article “Seasonal and lifelong changes in skin color and pigmentation of Austrian farming families: an exploratory study” was published in the journal “Photochemical and Photobiological Sciences” and describes not only the seasonal and continuous changes but also the sexual dimorphism of human skin color. First author is Dr. Alois Schmalwieser. PDF

XXXIV Workshop

Our 34th workshop took place on Thursday, February 27, 2025 in our seminar room.

Program

Talk Dr. Georg Krainer (Uni Graz)

In the course of our XXXIV workshop on February 27, 2025, Dr. Georg Krainer (University of Graz) gave his lecture “Unlocking protein function with single-molecule & microfluidic approaches”.

Invitation

Review Article in Protein Science

In January 2025 our Review Article "Exploring the proton transport mechanism of the mitochondrial ADP/ATP carrier: FA-cycling hypothesis and beyond" was published in Protein Science. PDF

ORF broadcast

On February 3, 2025 at 21:10, ORF 2 will broadcast a report with Dr. Alois Schmalwieser.
“G'sund in Österreich. Light - source of life, remedy and deadly danger”

Link

Repeats: February 4, 02:05 and 11:05

Article in "Frontiers in Chemical Biology"

In October 2024, our article “Molecular interactions at the interface: polyoxometalates of the Anderson-Evans type and lipid membranes” was published in the journal “Frontiers in Chemical Biology”. First author is Alina Pashkovskaya, PhD. Congratulations! PDF

Article in "Pharmacological Research"

In October 2024, our article “The mysteries of LETM1 pleiotropy” was published in the journal “Pharmacological Research”. First author is Sami Mohammed, MSc. Congratulations! PDF

XXXIII Workshop

Our 33rd workshop “Membranes and Membrane Proteins: New Insights and Methods” took place from September 23-25, 2024 in Strobl.
Invited speaker was Dr. Jürgen Kreiter (Stanford University), with the title “Structural insights into the biophysical and pharmacological features of the CLC family of chloride channels and transporters”.
Program
Contact: sanja.vojvodic@vetmeduni.ac.at and elena.pohl@vetmeduni.ac.at

Article in "BBA - Bioenergetics"

In July 2024 our article “Differential regulation of mitochondrial uncoupling protein 2 in cancer cells” was published in the journal “BBA - Bioenergetics”. First author is Taraneh Beikbaghban, MSc. Congratulations! PDF

Article in "ACS Chemical Biology"

In July 2024 our article “Dual-Probe Activity-Based Protein Profiling Reveals Site-Specific Differences in Protein Binding of EGFR-Directed Drugs” was published in the journal "ACS Chemical Biology". Second author is Kristina Zuna, PhD. Congratulations! PDF

PhD defense Zuna

In June 2024, our colleague Kristina Zuna, PhD. successfully defended her PhD thesis.

“The Role of the Solute Carrier 25 Proteins in Fatty Acid and 2,4-Dinitrophenol-Mediated Proton Transport”

Congratulations!

Master thesis Hofbauer

In May 2024, our employee Deniz Hofbauer, MSc. successfully completed his master's thesis “Optimization of the 2-oxoglutarate/malate carrier production in E.coli”.

Congratulations!

Successful diploma thesis Lisa Bigelbach

In August 2024 our article “Ultraviolet radiation protection factors of livestock shade cloths for free-range pigs” was published in the journal “Veterinary Dermatology”, the diploma thesis of Lisa Bigelbach. First author is Dr. Alois Schmalwieser. Congratulations! Article

Article in "Acta Physiologica"

In March 2024 our article "The 2-oxoglutarate/malate carrier extends the family of mitochondrial carriers capable of fatty acid and 2,4-dinitrophenol-activated proton transport" was published in the journal "Acta Physiologica". First author is Kristina Zuna. Congratulations! PDF

XXXII Workshop 22.2.

On Thursday, February 22, 2024, our 32nd workshop took place in the physiology seminar room from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Program

Successful diploma thesis by Sabine Götzinger

In February 2024, our article "Exploratory study on the body distribution of skin color, pigmentation and degree of tan in Central European Caucasian Women" was published in the journal "Photochemical & Photobiological Sciences", the diploma thesis of Sabine Götzinger. First author is Dr. Alois Schmalwieser. Congratulations! Article

Certificate Sustainable Development

Our recent contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

by open access publications.

SDG 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages

SDG 11: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable

Nachhaltigkeitsoffensive der Vetmeduni

Sustainable Development Goals - SDGs

https://www.vetmeduni.ac.at/universitaet/profil/sustainable-development-goals

Talk Edmund R.S. Kunji

On Tuesday, January 16, 2024, at 15:00 s.t. the guest lecture by Edmund R.S. KUNJI (Cambridge) took place in our seminar room (HA05 P51).

Link to the announcement with abstract

Talk/Seminar Andreas H. Guse

On Tuesday, January 16, 2024, at 4 pm c.t. an Impromptu Seminar by Andreas H. Guse on "Calcium microdomains and NAADP signaling" took place in our seminar room (HA05 P51).

Announcement with abstract