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 numerous locations:
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Laboratory of Functional Membrane and Molecular Physiology, FMMP, at the Paracelsus University, Strubergasse 21
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Laboratory for Translational Research in Immunotoxicity, TIF at the Faculty of Natural Sciences, Paris Lodron University, Billroth Straße 11
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Forschungsinstitut Bad Gastein, FOI (Bad Gastein Research Center), Schareckstraße 4
The Institute provides tuition and research in medical physiology and pathophysiology. Physiology is the study of normal human bodily functions (mechanical, physical, biomechanical) from the organs, tissues, cells and subcellular structures to molecular processes. Pathophysiology describes and investigates the causes and effects of particular pathogenic disturbances within these systems. Physiology and pathophysiology are fundamental to the understanding and treatment of diseases.
The Institute organizes the "Clinical Physiology of Organ Systems" course, which takes place in the 2nd academic year. The Institute shares supervision of students during their the 4th year research trimester. Furthermore, it 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 Institute of Allergy Research. 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 studies at health facilities in Gastein. 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 Cambridge, University, UK, University of Tübingen, Germany).
