The Paracelsus Medical University’s Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology was founded on 1 September 2004 with Univ. Prof. Dr. Markus Ritter appointed as its head. The Institute's premises are situated in three locations:
-
the Laboratory of Functional and Molecular Membrane Physiology, FMMP, at the Paracelsus University, Strubergasse 21 in Salzburg
-
the Laboratory for Translational Research in Immunology, TIF, at Billroth Straße 11 in Salzburg
-
the Gastein Research Institute, FOI, Schareckstraße 4 in Bad Gastein
The Institute provides research and tuition in medical physiology and pathophysiology. The science of Physiology describes normal human bodily functions in health, on the levels of the whole body, the organs, tissues, cells and subcellular structures as well as molecular processes. Pathophysiology describes and investigates the effects and causes of particular pathogenic disturbances within these systems. Physiology and pathophysiology are fundamental to the understanding,diagnosis and treatment of diseases.
The Institute organizes the "Clinical Physiology of Organ Systems" course, which takes place in the 2nd academic year. Furthermore it shares supervision of students during their the 4th year research trimester and offers postgraduate courses in molecular medicine and medical sciences.
The Institute focuses its research on molecular membrane physiology (FMMP), allergy research (TIF) and rheumatic disorders (FOI). Using the latest bio-nanotechnology methods, the functional and structural properties of the cell membrane and ion channels in particular, are examined with regard to various diseases. This is accompanied by research on pathogenesis and prevention of diseases, which is carried out by the Laboratory for Translational Research in Immunology. The effect of combined hyperthermia/radon therapy on the osteo-immune system of patients with ankylosing spondylitis (Bechterew’s disease), rheumatoid arthritis and other rheumatic diseases, is investigated in clinical and basic studies at health facilities in Gastein by the Gastein Research Institute. All research is directed towards the development of new therapeutic strategies for specific diseases. There are close research collaborations with renowned national and international scientific institutions (including Paris-Lodron University, Salzburg; University of Milan, Italy; Yale University, USA; University of Tübingen, Germany).
