The new Ignaz Semmelweis Institute began its work at the beginning of 2025. This institution in the field of infection research is an association of the Medical Universities of Vienna, Innsbruck and Graz, the Johannes Kepler University of Linz and the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna. The institute is dedicated to researching infectious diseases in order to better understand pathogens and diseases and to promote the development of countermeasures such as therapeutics and vaccines. The institute’s areas of responsibility and goals were presented at a press event in Vienna with Federal Minister Martin Polaschek as well as rectorate representatives from the participating universities and researchers from the institute.
The Ignaz Semmelweis Institute aims to establish itself as a leading international research institution for infectious diseases and pandemic preparedness through an excellent, interdisciplinary team developing innovative solutions. In the next few years, the focus will be on the structural development of the institute, recruiting young scientists, integrating into international networks and conducting groundbreaking research on pandemic preparedness.
Martin Polaschek: Federal Minister for Education, Science and Research: “With the Ignaz Semmelweis Institute, we are creating a groundbreaking instrument that will sustainably strengthen Austria as a research and health location. This unique joint project, which the federal government launched as part of the ‘Uni-Med-Impuls 2030’ program, combines cutting-edge research and medical training at the highest level. Through close cooperation between universities and international networking, we not only set new standards in infection research, but also make a direct contribution to the health security of our society. In the laboratories and on the desks of the Ignaz Semmelweis Institute, new scientific findings become concrete solutions for people’s health.”
Andrea Kurz, Rector of the Med Uni Graz: “Ignaz Semmelweis proved that facts save lives – even if society still had doubts at the time. Today we face similar challenges: infectious diseases threaten us, and scientific skepticism hinders progress. Our new institute, an association of five universities, combines human and veterinary medicine to gain knowledge and develop or further develop solutions. Science is not a luxury, it is our most powerful weapon – it deserves trust because it protects us all.”
Florian Krammer, virologist at MedUni Vienna and head of the Ignaz Semmelweis Institute: “Our plan is to establish the Ignaz Semmelweis Institute as a leading international research institution in the field of infectious diseases and pandemic preparation. We have an excellent team at the start, made up of specialists from a wide range of areas of infection research who complement each other. This allows us to look at problems from a variety of perspectives, leading to innovative research and problem solving. The focus of the next few years will now be to build up the institute’s structure – including its own institute building -, to recruit young and dynamic scientists who want to do research with us, and to integrate ourselves into international networks. And of course to conduct innovative and useful research in the field of infection biology, which will optimally prepare us for future pandemics.”
Doris Wilflingseder, infectiologist at Vetmeduni: “Modern science is a network. Today, efficient research is only possible if you think in an interdisciplinary manner and act across institutional boundaries. In this respect, I am pleased that the new Ignaz Semmelweis Institute brings together the expertise of veterinary medicine and human medicine. In keeping with the One Health idea, we will focus together on the mechanisms of zoonoses and research the transmission of diseases between animals and humans in more detail. So that we are better prepared for the next pandemic.”
Markus Müller, Rector of MedUni Vienna: “The Ignaz Semmelweis Institute will be developed into an internationally visible research center for infectious diseases and pandemic preparedness. The focus is on epidemiology, monitoring of pathogens and the development of diagnostic, prevention and therapeutic methods. Through a profound molecular biological understanding of infectious pathogens, risks can be identified at an early stage and targeted measures can be developed. Strong international collaborations will also ensure that research results can be quickly translated from experimental settings into practical applications.”
Stefan Koch, Rector of the JKU Linz: “The significant increase in infectious diseases in recent years is due to factors such as global mobility, climate change, antibiotic resistance and increasing vaccine skepticism. The resulting negative effects on society and the economy will continue to pose major challenges for us in the future. The Ignaz Semmelweis Institute enables us to collaborate closely across universities in infection research and will make a valuable contribution to understanding new pathogens and developing effective treatments against infectious diseases.”
Petra Winter, Rector of the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna: “We live in a connected world. For the area of infectious diseases, this means: A large number of infectious pathogens can occur in both animals and humans and can be transmitted in both directions. The only sensible answer to this is the networking of human and veterinary medicine, as has been achieved in the new Ignaz Semmelweis Institute. Only an interdisciplinary research approach under the motto One Health enables a better understanding of pathogens, their spread and the rapid development of appropriate medications and preventative measures.”
Wolfgang Fleischhacker, Rector of the Medical University of Innsbruck: “The corona pandemic has clearly shown us how important the availability of health data about the Austrian general population is for scientific research. At the Ignaz Semmelweis Institute, researchers will plan and carry out epidemiological and clinical studies. These should enable the development of new strategies for the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases. This will make us better prepared for future challenges.”
Pictures of the event are available for download via the APA picture gallery:
https://www.apa-fotoservice.at/galerie/39014
Copyright: MedUni Vienna/APA/Schedl
To the website of the Ignaz Semmelweis Institute:
www.semmelweisinstitute.ac.at
More pictures in the APA-Fotogalerie