The immunologist Doris Wilflingseder, who was recently appointed University Professor of Infection Biology, conducts research on the interaction of viruses and fungi with components of the immune system at the Institute of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology at the Medical University of Innsbruck. She works with in vitro models and develops human 3D cell culture models to study the initial interactions of different pathogens with the immune system. She was awarded for a human 3D mucosal model that can be used to study interactions of pathogens with molecules and enzymes of an intact, complex mucosa.

Prof. Peter Ertl heads the Cell Chip Research Group at the Vienna University of Technology. In the chips, organoid cultures developed from human stem cells can be generated in a controlled manner in different sizes simultaneously. These are used for drug tests that do not involve animal experiments. They are reproducible and more informative than animal tests.

The state prize is endowed with 10,000 euros.

Sources:
https://www.i-med.ac.at/mypoint/thema/762028.html
https://www.tuwien.at/tu-wien/aktuelles/news/news/staatspreis-fuer-peter-ertl-biochips-statt-tierversuch