About us
We are a motivated and enthusiastic group of scientists working on rare diseases. The long term goal of our research group is to identify and characterize novel genes that underlie development, function and pathologies of the nervous system. We apply next generation sequencing technology to prioritize potentially causative variants in undiagnosed neurodevelopmental disorders. For functional validation of prioritized variants we undertake a multidisciplinary approach and aim to harness our discoveries for genetic diagnoses and development of efficient and personalized therapeutic strategies.
Rare diseases
Aphorism “when you hear hoofbeats behind you, don’t think zebras” is often used to train students of medicine to exclude rare and exotic diagnoses when seeing their patients. For exactly this reason, the zebra became a symbol for rare diseases. There are more than 7000 different known rare disorders, collectively affecting approximately 350 million people worldwide, and 35 million in Europe alone.
Our logo design is a colorful zebra patterned human brain to represent different rare diseases of the nervous system, each unique and rare, as are all rare disease patients.
Full-time PhD position
We are seeking a curious, independent and hard working individual with interest in neurology, genetics, and intellectual disabilities to join our team. Strong background in molecular and cellular neuroscience is a plus. We recruit through the Ce-M-M- PhD Program, for more information, please click the button on the right.
Part-time Technical assistant position
We are looking for a highly motivated and well-organized Technical Assistant, who will be preparing samples for whole-exome sequencing (WES), analyzing/interpreting WES data, and prioritizing potentially disease-causing variants for further functional analysis. This position is suited for individuals who are interested and have experience in genetics, neurology, neuro-development, and bioinformatics and who enjoy working closely with clinicians and wet-bench researchers. For more information click the button on the right.
Medical student diploma project
We are looking to host a Neurology medical student in their 3rd or 4th year of studies for their diploma work. We are looking for those individuals interested in genetics of neurodevelopmental disorders. You will learn how to analyze and interpret whole exome sequencing data, segregate disease genes in the family, and functionally validate your findings in cell models. For the full description click to the right or contact us! Position available immediately.
Upcoming events
News and announcements
No upcoming events at this time
22 March 2021
The Nagy team welcomes its first MD undergraduate student, Haluk Caliskan, who will as part of his thesis project work on whole-exome sequencing and genetics analysis of undiagnosed neurodevelopmental cases. Welcome Haluk!
14-16 April 2021
Chris Fell will be presenting his work on a novel lectin receptor and its role in neural development and function in poster and lightning talk format at the Genomics of Brain Disorders Virtual Conference.
15-16 March 2021
The first European Syngap1 and Related Neurodevelopmental Disorders Symposium was a smashing success! We heard talks from a combination of renown neuroscientists, top notch clinicians, patient organizations and parents with affected children. We are grateful to our fellow organizers and admins' support, and especially thankful to the patient organization group Leon&Friends for making all of this happen. Special thanks to Chris Fell for his superb IT skills during the conference. Looking forward to next year!
Get to know this wonderful and active patient advocacy organization Leon&Friends by visiting their website by clicking their logo.
12 March 2021
During times of lockdowns, quarantines, social distancing and shift work it is harder than even to keep your research group motivated and team oriented. CellMentor discusses some fun ideas for the virtual lab meeting, mentioning some of our ideas as well!
18-19th March 2021
Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Rare and Undiagnosed Diseases welcomes its Scientific Advisory Board. This year in online format, we are looking forward to interacting with the board members and showcasing our recent accomplishments.
28 Feb. 2021
February 28th is rare disease day. Due to COVID restrictions worldwide efforts to raise awareness of rare diseases and fundraiser activities will, unfortunately, be challenging. Check out the official Rare Disease Day page to learn how you can get involved and contribute.
18 Feb. 2021
14:00-17:00 Edenhofer/Nagy Gene Editing in Neural Cells Workshop
Workshop is organized to foster collaboration and communication between the two research groups with a common interest in genome editing screens in neurons.
25 Feb. 2021
Nagy lab outing! The weather is finally warming up, Spring is almost here, its time to be outside! There are not many opportunities to spend time together during COVID quarantines, so we are off to a peri-Vienna hike.
March 2021
March issue of the journal Trends in Molecular Medicine not only includes Chris' Opinion article "Cellular Models and High-Throughput Screening for Genetic Causality of Intellectual Disability" but also highlights Vanja's scientific journey as part of their Stories in Molecular Medicine segment. Our unbiased opinion is that this is definitely the issue to check out!
12. Feb. 2021
There are more than 7000 different rare diseases, most without any treatments. Amazingly, for a metabolic disorder erythropoietic protoporphyria (OMIM# 177000), marked by light sensitivity and extreme pain, there is an EMA approved treatment, Afamelanotide, which has been shown to allow people with this condition to live a nearly normal, pain-free life! Shockingly, in Austria, Afamelanotide is only available to 5 people (?!) Luckily, you can do something about this. Make your voice heard and help people with this rare and difficult condition see the light of day (literally!!) Simply, sign the petition! Its the least you can do for rare disease month.
02 Jan. 2021
PhD Student Christopher Fell's Opinion article titled "Cellular Models and High-Throughput Screening for Genetic Causality of Intellectual Disability" is online at Trends in Molecular Medicine! Congrats Chris!
Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1471491420303166
01 Nov. 2020
New postdoctoral fellow, Dr. Swaroop Achuta joins the lab. Welcome Swaroop!
08 Aug. 2020
PhD Students Sophie Imhof and Dr. Tomislav Kokotovic's forum article titled "PRDM12: New Opportunity in Pain Research" published in Trends in Molecular Medicine! congrats Sophie and Tomislav!
Link: https://www.cell.com/trends/molecular-medicine/fulltext/S1471-4914(20)30186-6
03 Aug. 2020
The Nagy team is awarded the FWF 1000s Ideas Programme grant for their work titled:"Reverse Engineering of Neurodevelopmental Disorders". The grant was co-authored by PhD Student Christopher Fell and will be spearheaded by PhD student Victoria Kartysh.
Read more:
01 Aug. 2020
New PhD student Victoria Kartysh joins the lab. Welcome Victoria!
