Julia Walochnik takes over professorial Chair in Infectiology

Julia Walochnik, research group leader at the Institute of Specific Prophylaxis and Tropical Medicine at MedUni Vienna's Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, took up a professorship (§99 (4)) in infectiology at the beginning of November. Walochnik heads up Molecular Parasitology. The aim of Julia Walochnik and her research group is to understand the diversity and infection pathways and pathomechanisms of single-cell parasites at the molecular level. Her main research interest is in facultative pathogenic amoebae, particularly acanthamoebae. A central focus of their research is the question of why some strains are virulent while others are not. Working closely with national and international partners, her research group was able to identify various virulence factors of amoebae and their partly epigenetic regulation, to make important contributions to the understanding of protozoan infection biology, and to establish (new) drugs for the prophylaxis and treatment of protozoan infections. In addition, Julia Walochnik is studying the role of amoebae as host cells and vehicles for bacteria and fungi.