Our focus is on neurochemicals acting on the peripheral and central nervous system

We are enthusiastic about neurochemicals acting as agonists or antagonists on G-protein coupled receptors located in the peripheral and central nervous system. Our goal is to address the clinical needs to diagnose and treat the neurological pathologies at the origin of the disease; thus, avoiding a merely systematic treatment and rather stopping or delaying disease progression.

The chemical structure of small molecules is the key for successful drug design and development for both imaging probes and therapeutics. The combined, interdisciplinary knowledge of medicinal chemists, pharmacists and physicians allows drug adjustment and pave the way towards the application of our substances as tools for image-guided therapy.

The bottleneck of the drug development process is the preclinical screening of a compound library, as we still lack substantial methods for a fast and reliable biological assessment. We developed a complex dynamic 3D-cell culture method, which mimics the tissue situation and has the potential to fasten the screening process. Moreover, it conforms with the 3Rs (reduce, replace, refine) rule in animal ethics and will contribute to reduce the number of animals needed in drug testing.

Our main interests lie in

  • Inventive drug and tracer development of neurochemicals
  • Innovative drug screening methods
  • Interdisciplinary approaches close to medical application

EANM 2021 Plenary Lecture - Isotopes Past and Future

Missed the EANM 2021 plenary lecture on the availability of medicinal radioisotopes.

You can still watch it here.

CBmeds microONE promo video

For the SDG-3 presentation at the austrian parlament, our consortium of the FFG funded microONE project (CBmed, Univie, MUW, among others) produced a nice promo-video. Thank you to Thomas Wadsak for the nice production. (German only)

News and announcements

04.06.2025
 

It is always an enrichment when new scientists visit our laboratory as it brings new life, knowledge and exchange. We were very happy to welcome Serena Ducoli from the University of Brescia, Italy, in our laboratories working together on micro- and nanoplastics.

22.05.2025
 

Congratulations to Verena Schwingenschlögl-Maisetschläger on her first first-authorship with the title "Sustainable and standardized fabrication, recycling, and sterilization of salt-bed casted silk fibroin sponges." A major step towards the finalization of the PhD is done.

22.05.2025
 

Verena Pichler was visiting one of our successful alumnis, Carolin Bapp, at the University of Newcastle in Australia. Carolin is not only pursuing excellent research but also actively works on cleaning up the beaches from plastic waste with the SeaShepards.

22.05.2025
 

Our group leader, Verena, was awarded the best teaching award from the faculty of chemistry. It is an enormous honor to get such an award.

22.05.2025
 

Our group had a successful week at the ISRS meeting at Gold Cost, Australia. With one oral presentation on sustainability, a rapid fire and a poster presentation. Thanks for the great organisation of the meeting.

22.05.2025
 

We have a new Master of Science in our group! Congratulations to Laura Naprudnik. We wish her all the best for her future career.