Anti-Infectives Drug Discovery - AIDD

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the most urgent global health challenges, with drug-resistant infections projected to surpass cancer as the leading cause of mortality by 2050. The rapid emergence of resistant pathogens has outpaced the development of new anti-infective agents, highlighting the need for innovative drug discovery strategies. The FWF-funded DocFunds program Anti-Infectives Drug Discovery (AIDD) at the University of Vienna directly addresses this critical unmet medical need by fostering cutting-edge research and training in pharmaceutical sciences. Coordinated by Judith M. Rollinger and Lea Ann Dailey, AIDD brings together a multidisciplinary team of ten internationally recognized principal investigators and ten FWF-funded doctoral fellows. Supported by in-house and extramural partners, the AIDD team aims to develop novel drug candidates against two major pathogens: Candida sp. and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Invasive fungal infections caused by Candida species exhibit alarmingly high mortality rates, exacerbated by increasing antifungal resistance, while Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a highly drug-resistant bacterial pathogen classified as a critical priority by the World Health Organization (WHO). Embedded within the Vienna Doctoral School of Pharmaceutical, Nutritional, and Sport Sciences (PhaNuSpo), AIDD integrates both target-based and phenotype-based drug discovery approaches. These strategies are enhanced by cutting-edge artificial intelligence, advanced screening technologies, and extensive expertise in natural product research. Through this interdisciplinary framework, the program aims to accelerate the identification of promising antimicrobial compounds and develop novel therapeutic solutions to counteract drug resistance. Beyond scientific excellence, AIDD emphasizes career-relevant training in project management, teamwork, and leadership. Rooted in the Team Science concept, the program fosters a highly integrated and interactive research environment that promotes collaboration, effective communication, and a shared vision for solving complex scientific challenges. Doctoral students will engage in dynamic knowledge exchange, cultivating both scientific expertise and essential professional skills. By combining specialized drug discovery training with interdisciplinary teamwork, AIDD prepares graduates for leadership roles in academia, industry, and public health. Ultimately, AIDD seeks to develop a new generation of highly skilled scientists capable of driving innovation in the multifaceted drug discovery process and addressing the critical global threat of AMR.