Research in Action – Even on a Sabbatical!
During his research semester our head of the Institute of Biochemistry, Peter Macheroux, continues to actively contribute to a promising collaboration with Prof. Hartig's group at the University of Konstanz.

Together, they are investigating a recently discovered nitroimidazole resistance gene, NimA, identified in the anaerobic gut bacterium Massilimicrobiota timonensis. The gene was successfully expressed recombinantly, and the resulting protein was isolated. Spectroscopic analysis reveals that this intriguing protein contains two cofactors: a flavin (yellow) and a heme (reddish-brown).

Current research aims to shed light on the specific functions of these cofactors and to unravel the mechanism of this unique flavohemeprotein. Exciting insights are on the horizon!

And today, we celebrate not only scientific progress, but also Peter’s birthday – Happy Birthday and all the best for the coming year!

And just like that, the 32nd NAWI Graz DocDay is a wrap!

A heartfelt thank you to all participants for contributing with inspiring talks, creative posters, and lively scientific discussions – all while braving the summer heat! 

Special thanks to our guest speakers Sander Grannemann and Allon Hochbaum for offering deep insights into their scientific work and careers.

Congratulations to our award winners:

• Adrian Tripp – Best Talk (Jury), sponsored by Bartelt
• Lucija Sovic – Best Talk (Audience), sponsored by Microsynth Austria
• Nikolina Todorovic, Nadine Egger & Johannes Breithofer – Best Posters (Jury), sponsored by ChemBioChem/Wiley

Huge thanks to the organizing team Kirill Kuhlmann, Maximilian Fuchs, and Oliver Eder, as well as to Kristina Schild and Christine Rother for their incredible support. We also gratefully acknowledge Tea Pavkov-Keller and Harald Pichler for their guidance and encouragement throughout.

Let’s keep the science going – see you all at the next DocDay! 

Still active after retirement – and now awarded twice!

Our former colleague Michael Murkovic, who retired in October 2024, continues to share his expertise through lectures and research. In May 2025, he was honored with the "Gold Medal of Honor of the Province of Styria" for his outstanding scientific contributions.
With a background in Technical Chemistry from TU Graz and a specialization in Food Chemistry, Michael has been a pioneer in the study of carcinogenic substances in food since the 1990s, developing innovative approaches to reduce human exposure. His work has led to more than 120 scientific publications and numerous international presentations.

Most recently, at the XXIII EuroFoodChem conference in Bratislava on June 11, 2025, he delivered the prestigious Czedik-Eysenberg Lecture presented to outstanding scientists in the field.

Congratulations, Michael – your impact continues to grow!

Foto: TU Graz/Land Steiermark, Robert Binder

Save the Date: 32nd NAWI Graz DocDay 2025 – June 30th at the University of Graz!

We are excited to invite all interested colleagues, students, and friends of science to this year’s 32nd NAWI Graz DocDay 2025, an annual symposium organized by PhD students of Graz University of Technology and the University of Graz. This includes the doc schools “Molecular Biology and Biochemistry” and “Molecular Biosciences and Biotechnology”.

When? June 30, 2025
Where? University of Graz

This year, the event is co-organized by our PhD students Oliver Eder and Maximilian Fuchs from the Institute of Biochemistry.

A special highlight will be the keynote lecture by our guest researcher Prof. Allon Hochbaum (University of California):
“Natural and Synthetic Conductive Proteins: From Rock-Breathing Bacteria to Electrocatalytic Materials”

The symposium will showcase innovative research by PhD students, with talks, a poster session, and contributions from academia and industry.

Don’t miss this opportunity to exchange ideas, build connections, and engage with the community — during presentations, discussions, and the social get-together afterwards!

Everyone interested is warmly welcome to join us!

Congratulations to our former Master's student Sigrid Kaltenbrunner for receiving the TCVB Outstanding Master’s Thesis Award 2025 at this year’s Science Day of the Faculty of Technical Chemistry, Chemical and Process Engineering, and Biotechnology!

This prestigious award recognizes exceptional academic achievement, scientific independence, creativity, and dedication in producing an outstanding thesis.

We at the Institute of Biochemistry are proud of Sigrid's accomplishment and warmly congratulate her on this well-deserved recognition!