We couldn't resist the trend – so we turned some of our team into action figures!

Warning: extreme levels of coolness, heroic poses, and questionable superpowers ahead.
Which one would you add to your collection?

Happy Easter from all of us at the Institute of Biochemistry!

Here at the Institute of Biochemistry, we research proteins which are essential building blocks of live. They are not just an important supplement in your diet if you want to gain muscles but they also are important for a myriad of other body functions. For example, they enable you to sense light which lets your brain see this text and process it.

But how do specific proteins exactly work? This question is often answered in yearlong academic studies and countless experiments. However, with AI on the horizon, there are now novel methods available to get these answers faster.

In a recent study in our institute, a machine learning tool was tuned to make proteins "talk" about which parts of them are important for the jobs they do. This tool was used to research a bacterial light sensor, a cousin to the light sensors which are used by plants. The insights of this study might one day help us to understand better how plants, an important pillar of our diet, react to sun light. Read here the pre-print.

We congratulate Oliver Eder and Massimo Gregorio Totaro of the Group of Andreas Winkler and the Group of Gustav Oberdorfer for the successful completion of this highly collaborative project and wish good luck for the (potentially) upcoming revision.

Since September 1, 2023, Christoph Schaffer has been part of our team at the Institute of Biochemistry, where he is training to become a laboratory technician. With his dedication, curiosity, and enthusiasm, he is already a valuable addition to our team.

We are especially proud that the latest issue of „ZAK“, the magazin of Arbeitskammer Steiermark, features several apprentices from TU Graz, including „our“ Christoph.

We are excited to support Christoph on his journey and look forward to seeing him grow in his role!

The first excursion of the year took the AG Protein Biochemistry on an unexpected yet legendary journey—straight into the world of Arnold Schwarzenegger.  We swapped our lab coats for leather jackets and made our way to Thal, Austria, the birthplace of the Terminator himself.

You might be wondering—what do biochemists have in common with a Hollywood action star, a bodybuilding legend, and a former governor? More than you’d think! As scientists fascinated by proteins, we couldn’t pass up the chance to learn about one of the most famous applications of muscle biochemistry: bodybuilding. Schwarzenegger’s dedication to sculpting his physique is a testament to the power of discipline, training, and (of course) proteins.

The Arnold Schwarzenegger Museum, housed in his childhood home, is a treasure trove of memorabilia. From his first dumbbells to his governor’s desk, the museum traces his incredible journey from a small Austrian village to global stardom. Standing in the very room where young Arnold dreamed of greatness was nothing short of inspiring.

Some of us tried to mimic his famous poses—some more successfully than others. Others were more captivated by the detailed exhibits on his movie career, political achievements, and, of course, his bodybuilding triumphs.

Hasta la Vista, Thal - Our visit to the Schwarzenegger Museum was the perfect way to kick off the new year. It reminded us that no matter our background—be it science or cinema—passion and perseverance can take us far. Who knows, maybe next time we’ll be back, a little stronger and a lot more inspired.

Until then, we’ll stick to flexing our brain muscles in the lab!