Features: Cell biology in Austria
Mario Gimona
Austrian science is best known for its contributions to medicine,
physics, chemistry and mathematics. Cell biology research is not a
traditionally strong area, but internationally recognized and competitive
groups have emerged over the last two decades.
Austrian research is divided between universities and basic research
institutions. The latter includes several units financed by the Austrian
Academy of Sciences, or research institutes founded in collaboration
with industry, like the Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP) and
the Institute of Molecular and Cellular Bioinformatics (IMBA). The
University of Vienna also runs a Biocenter in close proximity to the
IMP (see http://www.ac-info.ac.at/index-de for a complete overview of Austrian Universities and other research
institutes).
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Figure 1. Universities and research institutes with active cell
biology labs are found in the state capital Vienna, but also
in Salzburg, Graz and Innsbruck.
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Close collaboration takes place between the universities and the
associated basic research institutions. Research and student life
at Austrian Universities is very different from that at UK universites.
Most department heads have heavy teaching committments and campus
life is not really possible as there is rarely a campus. Nevertheless,
there are a number of excellent and internationally recognised cell
biology labs in Austria (see Figure 1). Recent recommendations for
future developments, put forward by the ministry and the Austrian
Biochemical Society, focus on the establishment of Biocenters in Graz,
Innsbruck and Salzburg — which should lead to a strengthening
of molecular and cell biological research in Austria in the new millennium.
Research sites in Vienna
The Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP)
The IMP (www.imp.univie.ac.at)
under the directorship of Kim Nasmyth and located next to the Vienna
Biocenter is the top address in Austria for basic research at an international
level. Due to its unique structure and funding system this institute
has attracted top-quality group leaders and post docs.
The internationally best known groups are those of Hartmut Beug (developmental
plasticity TGF receptor in tumorigenesis), Meinrad Busslinger (Pax
gene function in brain development, hematopoiesis and disease, Gerhard
Christofori (molecular mechanism of multistage tumor development),
Barry Dickson (axon guidance in Drosophila), Michael Glotzer
(mechanisms of cytokinesis in C. elegans), Lukas Huber (epithelial
polarity, wnt signaling), Jürgen Knoblich (asymmetric cell division
during Drosophila nervous system development), Kim Nasmyth
(chromosome segregation during mitosis and meiosis) and Erwin Wagner
(gene function in mammalian development and oncogenesis, Fos and Jun).
The Vienna University Biocenter
The Biocenter is split into several departments. In the Department
of Biochemistry, a number of groups are working on signal transduction
and cell cycle control in yeast (Gustav Ammerer) and the biogenesis
of peroxisomes (Andreas Hartig). The Department of Molecular Cell
Biology harbors active groups studying the molecular and cellular
biology of cytoskeletal linker proteins in morphogenesis, cytoarchitecture
and signal transduction (Gerhard Wiche), cell cycle and differentiation-dependent
dynamics of cytoskeletal and matrix proteins (Roland Foisner), and
MAP1B and other cytoskeletal components during differentiation (Friedrich
Propst).
At the Institute of Medical Biochemistry, also situated at the Vienna
Biocenter, the Department of Molecular Biology concentrates on terminal
erythropoiesis (Ernst Müllner), the regulation of PP2A in normal
and transformed cells (Egon Ogris), thymidine kinase as a marker for
malignant state of cells (Edgar Wawra), and growth factor-dependent
gene expression in
mammalian cells (Christian Seiser).The Biocenter runs an (inter-)active
seminar and lecture series, allowing Ph.D. students to invite up to
four seminar speakers of their choice per year. Since 1993 the center
offers an attractive and modern Ph.D. programme which is open for
students from all over the world.
Other sites around Vienna
These include the General Hospital Vienna in which basic research
is provided by five divisions within the Department of Pathophysiology,
which is part of the Medical School of the University of Vienna. Cell
biology groups here include those of of Renate Fuchs, working on transcytosis
in polarized cells and the cellular pathophysiology lab (Jürg
Graf) focusing on membrane and Ca2+ transport in hepatocytes.
At the Institute for Cancer Research (Vienna) research groups study
the molecular mechanisms of cell division and actin isoforms in yeast
(Ursula Wintersberger), nuclear proteins (Rolf Schulte-Herrmann) and
cell-cycle regulation (Jozefa Gadek-Wesierski), and at the Institute
of Vascular Biology and Thrombosis Research, the cell biology focus
is on the role of fibrinolytic systems in tumor biology (Bernhard
Binder).
Universities outside Vienna
The faculty of natural sciences at the University of Salzburg is
a large, multidisciplinary building containing the Institutes of Botany,
Plant Physiology, Zoology, and Genetics, among others. At the Institute
of Genetics and Molecular Genetics, research centers on the genetic
and cellular mechanisms of growth control and aging in yeast (Michael
Breitenbach).
Due to its strong medical and biochemical faculties, the University
of Innsbruck is an excellent place to study and has a population of
around 26,000 students. The University (www.uibk.ac.at)
is divided into several campuses. Internationally competitive groups
are found at the Institute of Medical Biology and Human Genetics,
focusing on PKC isoform function in cellular signaling (Gottfried
Baier), and at the Institute of Medical and Clinical Chemistry studying
mitogenic signal transduction in mammalian cells (Hans Grunicke).
Internationally active research groups at the University of Graz
can be found in the Department of Pathology and Medicine, studying
cytokeratins CK8/18 (Kurt Zatloukal), and at the Institite of Medical
Biochemistry interested in atherosklerosis, lipoproteins and tumor
cells (Gert Kostner). Reach the University of Graz at www.kfunigraz.ac.at .
The Austrian Academy of Sciences (ÖAW)
Founded in 1847 (!), the general purpose of the Austrian Academy
of Sciences (www.oeaw.ac.at)
is the support of basic research in all fields with an emphasis on
complementing the research activities at Austrian universities. Among
the 56 different research institutions currently operated by the ÖAW,
the Institute of Biomolecular Aging (IBA) in Innsbruck and the Institute
of Molecular Biology (IMB) in Salzburg harbor a number of active research
groups. The third noteworthy institute, the Institute of Molecular
and Cellular Bioinformatics (IMBA) is currently in its construction
and recruiting phase. This institute, a collaboration between the
ÖAW, the IMP and the pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim,
is a new approach of the ÖAW to focus research on molecular and
cellular biology relevant to humans. This institute is anticipated
to bridge the gap between basic and applied science and to serve as
a platform for the development of new strategies for the production
of therapeutics. The IMBA is expected to develop close collaboration
with the Vienna General Hospital and the Vienna Biocenter. The groups
will also serve to train diploma and Ph.D students in addition to
hosting a number of post docs.
Work in the Department of Cell Biology at the IMB in Salzburg (www.imolbio.oeaw.ac.at)
concentrates on the mechanisms of cell movement and regulation (Vic
Small), and on the molecular cell biology of actin-modulating proteins
(Mario Gimona). This late 70s-style, ÖAW financed unit also hosts
groups interested in plant and developmental genetics, biochemistry
and virology. The institute is internationally recognized for its
contributions to cytoskeleton dynamics and operates a state-of-the-art
real time imaging microscopy facility.
The IBA was founded in 1992 and harbors four independent departments
under the roof of its bucolic historical, but well-equipped building.
Work in the Department of Molecular Cell Biology centers around the
mechanisms of cellular aging, and the roles of tumor viruses in senescence
and immortalization (Pidder Jansen-Dürr) while the Department
of Pathology concentrates on the involvement of heat shock proteins
in atherosclerosis (Georg Wick).
Funding
Austria has been spending a mere 1.56% of its gross national product
(GNP) for science, research and development (compared to 2.16% on
average in the OECD) and has repeatedly been under political pressure
by the European Community to comply with these standards. Both the
current and previous governments have aired plans to increase the
expenditure on science and research in the following years to above
2%.
The funding situation in Austria is competitive. Since the recent
retraction of the Austrian National Bank from science funding, the
weight of research support lies entirely on the single national funding
agency, the Austrian Science Foundation (FWF; www.fwf.ac.at). The
mandate of the sister organization, the Industrial Research Promotion
Fund (FFF) supports applied research and development projects. The
FWF runs several programs to support Austrian research and researchers,
in addition to providing fellowships for EU and non-EU graduate students
and post docs. Approval rate for research grants is at around 44%.
Total expenditure in 1998 was 952 million ATS (42 million); 17% of
the successful applications in 1998 have been submitted by female
colleagues.
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Figure 2: City view of Salzburg: baroque city center with a
vital cultural program surrounded by an inviting mountain scenery
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Living in Austria
In contrast to recent media releases, Austria is a liberal country
hosting students and post docs from within Europe and abroad. The
FWF, the Austrian Academy of Sciences and almost every Austrian university
have published open letters to the new government and also to the
outside community in order to encourage all scientists to maintain
collaborations and contacts with scientists working in Austria.
Owing to the relatively small size of the country (Austria has roughly
7.5 million inhabitants), even the major cities lack a broad cultural
diversity. However, knowledge of the English language is common in
the Austrian population, due to the myriads of tourists who take over
the country during the holiday seasons.
Living is relatively expensive, as is food, clothing and transportation.
There is a gradient in living costs rising from Vienna in the east
to the more western part of the country (somewhat peaking in Salzburg).
Medical support is excellent and readily available. Basic insurance
is affordable and includes in most cases medical prescriptions at
reduced prices. Bureaucracy has its quirks, but is improving, and
people are mostly helpful.
Austria is an El Dorado for outdoor fanatics. Top addresses for skiing,
hiking, biking, climbing, swimming etc. are all within easy reach
from the main cities (see Figure 1), and the best variety is found
in the areas around Innsbruck and Salzburg. Vienna and Salzburg offer
a large variety of theatre and music (from classical to jazz and pop)
events throughout the year. Vienna is also famous for its museums
and galleries, and Graz is a must for Jazz lovers.
 Mario
Gimona
Austrian Academy of Sciences
Institute of Molecular Biology
Department of Cell Biology
Billrothstrasse 11
A-5020 Salzburg
AUSTRIA
mgimona@server1.imolbio.oeaw.ac.at
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