The Department of Science and Technology provides innovative solutions to real-world problems by fostering interdisciplinary education and research.

Building a sustainable future through technology and science as foundational pillars

Through seamless integration of different scientific disciplines when addressing the key challenges of our time, the Department of Science and Technology contributes to the development of a sustainable future. By meeting the ever-changing research and education needs of the industry, whether in biotechnology, applied chemistry or computer science, we drive new ways of managing data and intelligent systems, and focus on various aspects of applied biomedicine and chemistry research such as cancer, immune system disorders, toxicology, drug research, material sciences, artificial intelligence, etc.

The interdisciplinary team is optimally composed of committed academic, administrative, technical and support staff. We act as an international academic competence center of interdisciplinary education and research. 

Our department consists of the following institutes:

• Institute Applied Chemistry
• Institute Biotechnology
• Institute Digitalisation and Informatics
• Institute Krems Bioanalytics

Research focus areas

Medical biotechnology

In the research focus medical biotechnology, we deal with the identification, validation and optimisation of molecules and biologics, which can be used in personalised medicine, antiviral therapies or as biomarkers. Within this focus, many methods and resources have been established over the past years:

• Tissue engineering and 3D organotypic disease models, reporter cell lines for analysis of the mechanisms of action of bioactive molecules 
• Humane cell culture models and co-culture models
• Platforms for therapeutic peptide and antibody production and in-silico modelling & screening
• Platform for the development of antiviral therapies
• Optogenetic engineering of cell lines and receptors

Contact person: Harald Hundsberger

Bioprocess Engineering

The research focus bioprocess engineering deals with the systematic characterisation of bioreactors (oxygen transfer based on geometries, oxygen transfer matrix and macromixing), the optimisation of bioprocesses for the production of recombinant active substances in bacterial host systems and yeast systems, and the establishment of co-cultivation of extremophilic microorganisms for the extraction of pharmaceutically active secondary metabolites. The following methods and resources have been developed in recent years:

• Characterisation of bioreactors for fermentation
• Definition of bioreactor design specifications
• Optimisation of bioprocesses for the production of recombinant proteins
• Co-cultivation of microorganisms for the production of biologically active secondary metabolites
• Biocatalytic reactions

Contact person: Harald Hundsberger

Materials science

In this research field we deal with the production and synthesis of new materials. One focus will be on renewable raw materials. However, the subject area also allows the use of a variety of other starting materials and the production of further target products. In addition, both starting products and intermediate and end products will be analysed and characterised using the appropriate methods in order to evaluate possible new applications. By dealing with this topic area, we contribute to a positive development of the location and to a further acceptance of sustainable technologies, and position ourselves as an attractive partner for academic institutions and chemical companies.

Contact person: Uwe Rinner

Digital transformation and organisational development

In this research field, we explore how digital transformation can become an integral mechanism for companies to achieve breakthrough innovation and sustainable development.

We support industry partners in assessing and accepting new technologies along the entire value chain to realise the potential of transforming the traditional economy into the digital economy. In addition, we conduct research in the field of organisational development, integration and transformation by analysing and adapting new business models and innovation methods.

Contact person: Deepak Dhungana

Software engineering and intelligent systems

This research area focuses on the analysis, design, development and application of software engineering methods and tools for intelligent systems, which incorporate data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) for the benefit of society and business.

The main objective is to solve challenging (industrial) problems by developing, operating and maintaining software systems that involve complex decision-making processes, using data-driven methods and artificial intelligence as the backbone of the solution architecture. The integration of AI tools into software engineering promises enormous benefits to push the digitalisation wave.

Contact person: Deepak Dhungana