Biosketch
Thomas Weichhart is Associate Professor in Immunometabolism working at the Medical University of Vienna. He studied Biology & Genetics at the University of Vienna and was awarded a bachelor’s degree in 2000. In 2005, he completed his PhD at the University of Vienna. After postdoctoral training at the Medical University of Vienna, he become group leader in 2012 at the Medical University of Vienna. With his team, he tries to understand how macrophages influence metabolism to contribute to homeostasis and disease. He is coordinator of a special research program in Austria focused on Immunometabolism (www.immunometabolism.at)
Research profile
Main research questions:
- Role of mTOR signaling in innate immune cells
- How do macrophages promote granulomatous disease with a special focus on sarcoidosis
- What metabolites do macrophages secrete that influence tissue homeostasis and disease?
We could recently show that chronic activation of the metabolic checkpoint kinase mTORC1 in macrophages is sufficient to induce spontaneous granuloma formation in mice. This represents the first signaling pathway described in macrophages that is needed and sufficient to form epithelioid granulomas. Moreover, we found that in the granulomatous disease sarcoidosis, mTOR activation is associated with a progressive form of disease. These results suggested mTOR inhibitors as novel therapeutic agents against sarcoidosis. This has been recently validated in a clinical trial. The group is further exploring metabolic pathway that contribute to granuloma formation.
Positions and training
2014 – Tenured Faculty Member, Associate Professor, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
2012 – Group leader, Institute of Medical Genetics, Medical University of Vienna
2010 – 2012 Junior group leader, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna
Contributions
Coordinator of the FWF-funded special research program SFB Immunometabolism
Member of the European network for Immunometabolism (EFIS study group).