Welcome to the Ignaz Semmelweis Institute

a joint venture of

Mission

Infectious diseases can have a significant impact on human health and society and are responsible for millions of deaths globally every year. In addition to the already existing issues with infectious diseases, new challenges are emerging. Climate change, a growing interface between humans and animals, habitat destruction and the interconnectivity of the modern world will likely lead to an increased frequency of outbreaks and pandemics with new pathogens.

Research

Our research areas include a wide variety of aspects important for infectious diseases and pandemic preparedness. One important aspect is epidemiology, as well as vaccine effectiveness studies and pathogen surveillance – both locally as well as internationally. Another important aspect that goes hand in hand with epidemiology and pathogen surveillance is the development of diagnostics. Here we  focus on the establishment and implementation of laboratory developed tests but not on routine diagnostics…

News

The podcast viroLOGICAL launches in early February 2026

January Semmelweis Seminar with Wendy Barclay on “Understanding How Respiratory Viruses Cause Pandemics.”

Milestone Achieved: New Laboratory Space Opens at Rheuma-Zentrum Wien-Oberlaa

Austrian 3Rdays 2026: Advancing AI and Alternatives to Animal Testing in Vienna

Bringing the Semmelweis Together: Highlights from the First Annual Retreat and SAB Meeting

Florian Krammer Elected to the Prestigious NAI Fellows Class of 2025

Scientific Exchange at Johannes Kepler University and Kepler University Hospital

Understanding Vaccines in Older Age: Facts Clearly Explained

November Semmelweis Seminar with Charlotte Thålin on mucosal igA and respiratory infections 

Training & Career

We are committed to train the next generation of basic and translational infectious disease researchers.
We believe, young people full of energy and creative ideas can solve problems that we will face in the future. Our Institute will offer training opportunities at many levels, starting from high school student internships to master students, PhD students, postdoctoral fellows and young faculty. A specific seminar series focused on trainees is currently in preparation, we are planning to install a PhD program specifically for infection biology and a mentoring system for trainees and young faculty will be implemented as well.