The Max Perutz Labs are a research institute established by the University of Vienna and the Medical University of Vienna to provide an environment for excellent, internationally recognized research and education in the field of Molecular Biology. Dedicated to a mechanistic understanding of fundamental biomedical processes, scientists at the Max Perutz Labs aim to link breakthroughs in basic research to advances in human health.
Read moreThe Max Perutz Labs conduct basic research aimed at achieving a mechanistic understanding of fundamental biomedical processes. Scientists at the institute explore how life works at the molecular level – from RNA biology and gene expression to chromatin organization, protein folding, cell signaling, and immunity. Using cutting-edge structural, computational, and quantitative approaches, researchers aim to uncover how molecular interactions shape cellular function and stability.
Frontier research
Researchers at the institute pursue fundamental, curiosity-driven questions that often challenge existing paradigms and require the development of new technologies or conceptual frameworks. Their focus on mechanistic insight – understanding precisely how molecules and pathways drive cellular and organismal functions – addresses some of the most complex and unresolved problems in biomedical science. Many projects are high-risk, exploring uncharted molecular mechanisms whose outcomes could transform our understanding of biology and disease. With strong interdisciplinary collaborations and support from competitive programs such as the European Research Council (ERC), the Perutz exemplifies how basic science can open unexpected avenues for innovation and discovery.