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Everything published from the Institute of Virology
26.03.2026 | Guest Lecture: Dr. Aleksandar Antanasijevic
Dr Aleksandar Antanasijevic from the Institute of Virology and Structural Immunology at EPF Lausanne will give a lecture on molecular determinants of antibody immunodominance using cryo-EM on 26 March 2026 at 3 p.m. in the Pharmacology Lecture Hall.
January 2026
Respiratory virus trends in January 2026: Rhino-/enterovirus and influenza (H3N2) activity shows early signs of decline, while hospitalization rates remain above last year’s levels. SARS-CoV-2, RSV, and a range of additional respiratory pathogens continue to circulate.
Annual Retreat 2026
The IVI held its annual retreat from January 7th to 9th. 20 talks and keynote lectures by Prof. Niklas Arnberg (Umeå University) and Daniela Weiskopf (La Jolla Institute) sparked lively discussions.
29.01.2026 | Guest Lecture: Dr. Mathias Schemmerer
Dr. Mathias Schemmerer from the Institute of Clinical Microbiology and Hygiene at the University Medical Center Regensburg will present on the work of the National Consultant Laboratory for Hepatitis A and Hepatitis E viruses on January 29, 2026 at 3:00 pm in the Pharmacology Lecture Hall.
01.12.2025 | Panel Discussion: What We Can Learn from Virus Research for Tomorrow
Prof. Florian Krammer, Rector Gert Mayer, and Prof. Gisa Gerold discussed pandemic preparedness and pandemic retrospective on December 1, 2025. The free event at the Innsbruck City Library was well attended and featured a lively exchange with the audience. We thank all guests!
GfV Executive Board and Advisory Board meeting
IVI Director Gisa Gerold participated in the second joint board and advisory board meeting of the DACH Association Society for Virology (GfV) at Goethe University Frankfurt in her capacity as Chair of the Executive Board. Her cooperation with the Swedish Society for Virology was recognized and will continue with a focus on young scientist exchange.
November 2025
Increase in Hepatitis A cases in Austria: The Institute of Virology confirmed 11 infections by PCR in 2025 – significantly more than in previous years. These observations underscore the importance of preventive immunization against Hepatitis A.
13.11.2025 | Guest Lecture: Prof. Dr. Derek Smith
Prof. Dr. Derek Smith from Cambridge University will present on vaccine strain selection for antigenically variable pathogens on November 13th, 2025 at 3pm in the Pharmacology lecture hall.
H5N1 Avian Influenza: Current Developments
The current H5N1 situation in Austria requires attention. An expert article examines pandemic risk, transmission routes, and countermeasures.
October 2025
Rhinoviruses show clear dominance in October 2025 with a positivity rate of 45% among hospitalized patients. Particularly vulnerable are infants, young children, as well as elderly and immunosuppressed individuals. The Institute provides updated respiratory and gastro dashboards.
Company outing 2025
On this year's company outing on 30 September, our team took the Mutterer Alm cable car to the mountain station in the morning, where the group split up as the mood took them. Some opted for a relaxed and sociable hike to the Götzner Alm, while others took on the...
September 2025
RSV prevention update: Since December 2024, the monoclonal antibody Nirsevimab has been available in Austria’s free children’s vaccination program. The Institute of Virology is launching a pilot project for genetic surveillance of RSV variants in the upcoming season.
23.10.2025 | Guest Lecture: Prof.Dr. Judith Aberle
Prof. Dr. Judith Aberle from the Medical University of Vienna will present on tick-borne encephalitis on October 23rd 2025 at 3pm in the Pharmacology lecture hall.
Tick and TBE project
It is currently tick peak season again! As new species and consequently new pathogens are now appearing in our country due to factors such as climate change and travelling, good early monitoring and appropriate preparation are essential! For this reason, the Institute...
07.08.2025 | Guest Lecture: Prof. Dr.med. Maximilian Lenz
Prof. Dr.med. Maximilian Lenz from the Institute of Neuroanatomy and Cell Biology at Hannover Medical School will present on VEEV-induced neuronal dysfunction on August 7th, 2025 at 10am in the Seminar room Virology, Schöpfstraße 41.
July 2025
The Institute of Virology provides information on Chikungunya fever: The Asian tiger mosquito continues to spread northward, increasing the risk of local infections in Central Europe. Learn more about symptoms, diagnostics, and the newly EU-approved vaccines.
June 2025
The Institute of Virology reports a significant increase in rotavirus infections in the first half of 2025. Notably unusual is the temporal shift: one-third of the total 106 positive cases occurred between May and mid-June, whereas the infections normally peak between February and April. Both young children and increasingly older adults have been affected.
24.06.2025 | Inaugural Lecture Gisa Gerold
Prof. Dr. Gisa Gerold, Director of the Institute of Virology, delivered her inaugural lecture “Viruses: the good, the bad and the unknown” on June 24th, 2025 at 4:30pm in the Audimax at Fritz-Pregl-Straße 3, Innsbruck.
18.05.2025 | Gordon Research Conference: Viruses and Cells
Prof. Gisa Gerold was elected Vice-Chair (2025-2027) and future Chair (2027-2029) of the Gordon Research Conference on Viruses and Cells at the 2025 conference held in May 2025.
May 2025
As spring temperatures rise, ticks become active again in Austria. AGES launched a nationwide tick monitoring program in 2024, which continues in 2025 and will be expanded to include additional pathogens. Learn how you can contribute to research by submitting ticks.
12.06.2025 | Guest Lecture: Prof. Dr. Isabella Eckerle, PhD
Prof. Dr. Isabella Eckerle from the University of Geneva will present on emerging viruses online via Webex on June 12th, 2025 at 3pm.
April 2025
The Institute of Virology reports a significant rise in Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections in Tyrol. Learn more about PCR diagnostics, increasing antibiotic resistance, and our respiratory PCR panel.
11.06.2025 | Wissen|schafft Gesundheit
Prof. Dr. Gisa Gerold will present “Cell pirates in the body: Why it is important to understand viruses” in the Wissen|Schafft Gesundheit lecture series on June 11th, 2025 at 6:30pm in the Large Lecture Hall, Fritz-Pregl-Straße 3, Innsbruck.
15.04.2025 | Guest Lecture: Prof. Dr. Hildegard Büning
Prof. Dr. Hildegard Büning from Hannover Medical School will present on biological nanoparticles for in vivo gene therapy on April 15th, 2025 at 3pm in the Pharmacology lecture hall.
March 2025
March 2025 Newsletter: Essential information about Lyme disease – from diagnostics to interpretation of serological tests. Learn more about the two-tier testing strategy and diagnostic challenges in tick-borne diseases
20.03.2025 | Guest Lecture: Anna Överby Wernstedt, PhD
Prof. Dr. Anna Överby Wernstedt from the Department of Clinical Microbiology at Umeå University will present on brain tropism of tick-borne flavivirus on March 20th, 2025 at 3pm in the video conference room at Schöpfstraße 24 (also available online via Webex).
February 2025
The Institute of Virology reports on the significant increase in Norovirus infections in Austria in 2024 and an observed genotype shift. Learn more about viral gastroenteritis pathogens, diagnostic options, and our new real-time dashboard for monitoring virus activity.
25.02.2025 | Guest Lecture: Ana Fernandez-Sesma, PhD
Dr. Ana Fernandez-Sesma from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai will present on modulation of innate immunity by dengue viruses and vaccines on February 25th, 2025 at 3pm in the Pharmacology lecture hall.
January 2025
Current information on human metapneumovirus (hMPV): The Institute of Virology provides information about this common respiratory pathogen, which accounted for more than 15% of diagnosed respiratory infections at the end of 2024. Learn more about transmission routes, risk groups, and recommended protective measures.
22.01.2025 | Guest Lecture: Prof. Dr.med. Gerhard Dobler
Prof. Dr. med. Gerhard Dobler from the University of the Bundeswehr Munich will present on TBE research in Austria on January 22nd, 2025 at 3pm in the Pharmacology lecture hall.