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Diagnostik- und Forschungszentrum
Genetic and environmental mechanisms of diseaseResearchDiagnostic and Research Center for Molecular BiomedicineResearch centers and institutesMedical University of Graz

Research team of Steinmetz

Infection and Immunity research area

Team leaders: Ivo Steinmetz, Gabriel Wagner-Lichtenegger, Sabine Wagner-Lichtenegger

Focus: One area of our research involves the analysis of immune defense mechanisms and virulence mechanisms of bacterial pathogens (host-pathogen interaction). The goal of our work is to identify new therapeutic targets for both host-directed therapy and pathogen-directed therapy. In our investigations, we model infection with the human pathogenic bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei (agent that causes melioidosis). Another focus is on developing innovative tests for the simultaneous detection of antibodies to different antigens of individual infectious agents. These multiplex tests are required in infectious disease diagnostics and for analysis of immune response after vaccinations.

Networking: In both basic research and our translational research projects, we cooperate with numerous local groups and a variety of national and international cooperation partners worldwide.

Projects

Lipid metabolism: A potential target for the treatment of infectious diseases?

  • The goal of this project is to investigate enzymes involved in human lipid metabolism as a therapeutic target for bacterial infections. Our hypothesis is that the inhibition of these enzymes is suitable as a therapeutic option since this has the potential to increase the antibacterial mechanisms of cells while reducing the harmful massive inflammatory reaction. In our infection models, we use the intracellular, pathogenic bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei, which has an extremely broad spectrum of hosts.
  • Time: Since 2019
  • Funded by: Med Uni Graz
  • Project partners: Diagnostic and Research Institute of Pathology

Deciphering the DNA fragmentation pattern related to programmed cell death during infection: Analysis of their diagnostic potential

  • The diagnosis of bacterial infection can be complicated by the lack of direct detection of the causal pathogens. In such cases, tests that indicate a very specific reaction of the host organism to the infection can be helpful. In this context, cell-free DNA fragments (cfDNA) in patient plasma have recently attracted great attention as biomarkers of severe infection. We are working on shedding light on the origin and characteristics of cfDNA during bacterial infections so they may be employed as diagnostic and prognostic markers in the future.
  • Time: Since 2019
  • Funded by: Med Uni Graz
  • Project partners: Diagnostic and Research Institute of Human Genetics

Inflammasome activation, caspase signaling and apoptosis

  • Intercellular recognition of conserved microbial structures is an important feature of the innate immune system and of great significance for the course of infections. We investigate cytosolic protein complexes (inflammasomes) in B. pseudomallei-infected macrophages in order to understand their role in recognizing bacterial structures and subsequent activation of specific cysteine proteases (caspases). One particular focus is on the role of these enzymes in infection-dependent induction of mechanisms of apoptosis and inflammatory reactions.
  • Time: Since 2017
  • Funded by: Med Uni Graz

Deciphering the immune response of melioidosis patients to develop novel serological tests and identify vaccine candidates: Identification, purification and validation of novel Burkholderia pseudomallei antigens

  • The exploration of the immune response to bacterial pathogens is important in diagnostics and vaccine research. Simultaneous detection of antibodies to a variety of antigens using multiplex assays enables a comprehensive, detailed overview of antibody diversity in individuals and its diagnostic potential. In our ongoing research, we are validating new diagnostic protein antigens of B. pseudomallei with the goal of optimizing multiplex assays as well as developing point-of-care tests.
  • Time: 2020–2022
  • Funded by: Med Uni Graz
  • Project partners: Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology (IPHT), Jena, Germany; InfectoGnostics Research Campus, Jena, Germany; Senova Gesellschaft für Biowissenschaft und Technik mbH, Weimar, Germany; Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit (MORU), Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Thailand; Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.

Ecology and global distribution of Burkholderia pseudomallei

  • Even 100 years after the discovery of B. pseudomallei, the global distribution of the pathogen in the subtropics and tropics and the incidence of actual cases of the disease melioidosis remain unclear. It is largely unknown which environmental factors favor the incidence of B. pseudomallei and what influence environmental habitat has on the virulence of this pathogen. By developing sensitive procedures for detecting B. pseudomallei, we attempt to identify factors that correlate with the presence of the pathogen and that may also be significant for infectiousness.
  • Time: Since 2017
  • Funded by: Med Uni Graz
  • Project partners: Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit (MORU), Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Thailand; Vietnam National University, Vietnam

Diagnostic and Research Institute of Hygiene, Microbiology and Environmental Medicine

Ivo Steinmetz  
T: +43 316 385 73700
E: ivo.steinmetz(at)medunigraz.at
Ivo Steinmetz
Research profile

Diagnostic and Research Institute of Hygiene, Microbiology and Environmental Medicine

Gabriel Wagner-Lichtenegger 
T: +43 316 385 73711
E: gabriel.wagner-lichtenegger(at)medunigraz.at
Research profile

Diagnostic and Research Institute of Hygiene, Microbiology and Environmental Medicine

Sabine Wagner-Lichtenegger  
T: +43 316 385 73603
E: sabine.lichtenegger(at)medunigraz.at
Research profile

Team

Staff