Long Night of Research 2026: PMU Inspires with Hands-On Science
Tenth Anniversary in the State of Salzburg: Around 1,200 visitors of all ages took the opportunity on April 24, 2026, to experience medical research “Made in Salzburg” up close at the Long Night of Research at Paracelsus Medical Private University (PMU). With this, PMU once again proved to be one of the most popular attractions in the state of Salzburg. Children in particular showed great interest in “getting a taste of research.”
Under the motto “Science to Touch,” PMU opened its doors to everyone and presented the full diversity of modern medicine at 16 interactive stations. Around 120 researchers, staff, and students from PMU and its university hospitals took visitors on an applied journey through and around the human body—complete with personal exchange. Each station was prepared with great attention to detail and a strong practical focus. The Long Night of Research at PMU was opened with a speech by Rector Annemarie Weißenbacher, who expressed her gratitude for the commitment of all involved and the organization of the event.
Join in. Marvel. Discover.
At the Long Night of Research, visitors gained exclusive insights into current research questions and medical innovations—explained directly by those who work on them every day. The range of topics included first aid and disaster medicine, anatomy, endoscopy, surgical robotics, neurology, tendon research, care for “butterfly children,” modern hearing research, and “Why nature is so good for us.”
One of the highlights was the DaVinci surgical robot: In a hands-on test, guests could put their motor skills to the test and experience how precise robot-assisted surgery works. In addition, visitors explored the inside of the human body, participated in pharmaceutical experiments, sampled foods for ketogenic diets, and immersed themselves in new medical worlds using virtual reality applications.
Spotlight on Research in Salzburg
Nationwide, the Long Night of Research is organized by the Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research (BMBWF), the Federal Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology (BMK), and the Federal Ministry of Labour and Economy (BMAW) in cooperation with the Austrian federal states. The research presentations are delivered directly by the scientists themselves.
Translated by “Le Chat”
