Research in Dialogue

On September 1, 2026, the inaugural LiST Institutional Seminar took place at the TFZ in Wiener Neustadt, marking the launch of a new monthly seminar series at Danube Private University. The series aims to foster scientific exchange across the LiST research community and create new opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration.

The first seminar brought together group leaders and senior researchers from a range of scientific disciplines. The session provided an opportunity to introduce individual research lines and current areas of work, exchange ideas, and identify shared research interests and potential areas for collaboration.

The programme featured contributions from:
 

• Assoc.-Prof. Dr. Youbin Zheng, Associate Professor and Head of LiST, presented “Bioelectronics for Sensing and Therapy”, highlighting adaptive biointerfaces, wearable microneedle-based sensors, and skin-compatible patches for continuous health monitoring.
   
• Prof. Dr. Hossam Haick, Head of the PhD Programme “Precision and Personalized Medicine”, presented “Sensing the Invisible: New Frontiers in Non-Invasive Diagnostics and Imaging”. His presentation focused on nanomaterial-based sensing, flexible patches, e-tattoos, and AI-driven smart materials for non-invasive diagnostics and imaging.
   
• Univ.-Prof. DI Dr. Winfried Neuhaus, Professor of 3Rs and NAMs, presented “Biological Barrier Models for Theranostics”, highlighting his research and expertise in the function of biological barriers and their relevance to health and biomarker discovery.
   
• Assoc. Prof. Jakub Dostalek, PhD, Senior Researcher, presented “Optical Biosensor Technologies”, covering plasmonics, fluorescence, SERS, as well as approaches for single-molecule detection and rapid biomarker analysis.
   
• Prof. Dr. Mandana Amiri, Electrochemical Sensor Technology, presented “From Functional Materials to Molecular Diagnostics – Engineering Interfaces for Intelligent Sensing”, focusing on electrochemical biosensors, aptasensors, and smart materials for medical applications.
   
• Univ.-Prof. Priv.-Doz. Dipl.-Ing. Dr. techn. Christoph Kleber, National Research Projects Coordinator and Chairman of the Research Management, presented research on intelligent sensing systems, microbiome monitoring, pathogen detection, and functional materials for implants.
   
• Dr. Erich Kny, Deputy Chairman of the Research Management and Scientific Consultant, provided an overview of his research and development activities, ranging from air decontamination and e-nose technologies to water reuse, medical laser applications, and innovative sensing approaches.

Beyond the individual presentations, direct exchange among the participants was a central element of the seminar. Discussions around research approaches, shared scientific questions, and potential synergies created valuable starting points for future interdisciplinary collaboration. The conversations continued beyond the formal presentations, further strengthening the exchange between researchers from different fields.

The inaugural seminar also established the format for the series going forward. While the first meeting provided a broad overview of the research lines represented within LiST, future monthly seminars will focus on specific scientific topics in greater depth. These sessions will provide space for detailed discussions of individual research questions, current findings, and emerging developments.

The positive response to the inaugural event encourages Danube Private University to continue the LiST Institutional Seminar as a regular forum for scientific exchange, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the development of new research ideas.

A sincere thank you to all speakers and participants for contributing to such an inspiring start to the LiST Institutional Seminar.

We are already looking forward to the next LiST Institutional Seminar.