Judith M. Rollinger

u:find profile

Phytochemistry & Biodiscovery

• We unravel nature’s complexity to discover novel drug leads using integrated chemoinformatic and chemometric approaches.
   
• We decode nature’s chemical language and combine it with ethnopharmacological knowledge (e.g., from Dioscorides’ De Materia Medica, Chinese herbal medicine, Alpine traditional medicine) through advanced data science methods.
   
• Our lab uses the invertebrate Caenorhabditis elegans for phenotype-based screenings to identify natural compounds that improve metabolism, stress resistance, and health span. 
   
• We investigate bioactive metabolites from diverse natural sources, with a particular focus on leads targeting inflammatory processes, metabolic disorders, and infectious diseases/Anti-Infectives Drug Discovery – AIDD.

Innovation in Drug Research (Key Research Area)
Speakers: Thierry Langer and Judith M. Rollinger 

• 2025-2030
  FWF doc.funds DOC 3579124
  Anti-Infectives Drug Discovery – AIDD
  Coordinator and PI: Rollinger, PIs: Dailey (co-coordinator), Böttcher, Kirchmair, Ortmayr, Orts, Rademacher, Schmidt, Schützenmeister, Zotchev
• 2026-2029
  Schwabe Phyto Innovation Challenge by Dr. Willmar Schwabe GmbH & Co.
  Natural Products for MASLD Management
  PIs Rollinger & Dirsch
• 2025-2029
  FWF project 10.55776/PAT4370324
  Exploring Alternaria mycotoxins-gut microbiota interactions
  PI Crudo, Co-PIs Marko, Berry & Rollinger
• 2025-2028
  Collaborative project funded by the Laimburg Research Centre, Italy
  Characterization of the metabolic profile of the phytopathogen Ramularia mali
  PI Rollinger
• 2024-2027
  Natvantage Grant 2024 of the Wilhelm Doerenkamp Foundation
  MedPolDual: Medicinal polypores as dual angiogenesis and inflammation inhibitors
  PI Kirchweger (LMU Munich), co-PIs Fürst (LMU Munich) & Rollinger (University of Vienna)
• 2022-2025
  FWF Project ESP 149-B
  The Bog Bilberry Enigma - A complex phytochemical analysis of bog bilberry (Vaccinium uliginosum L.) fruits in relation to their alleged toxicity
  PI Vaneková, Supervisor Rollinger
• 2022-2025
  Schwabe Phyto Innovation Challenge
  Identifying and dissecting health promoting natural products for healthy aging
  PI Rollinger
• 2020-2024
  FWF Project P 34028
  Natural products against acute respiratory infections
  PI Rollinger, co-PI Grienke
• 2018-2022
  Natvantage Grant 2018 of the Wilhelm Doerenkamp Foundation
  NaProFlu: Natural Products targeting low respiratory tract infections
  PIs: Rollinger and Schmidtke
• 2017-2022
  funded by the Austrian Drug Screening Institute (ADSI)
  In vivo Screening of plant extracts using C. elegans as a model system
  PI Rollinger
• 2016-2018
  Project for Interdisciplinary Research Network funded by the Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Austria.
  Microbial communities in marine sediments
  PI Zotchev, co-PIs Herndl & Rollinger
• 2012-2017
  FWF Project P 24587
  Natural Lead Structures Targeting Influenza
  PI Rollinger
• 2012-2016
  EU project FP7-PEOPLE-2011-IRSES 295174
  hERGscreen: hERG related risk assessment of botanicals
  Coordinator and PI Rollinger
• 2008-2014
  FWF NFN Project S10703
  Drugs from nature targeting inflammation: From in silico plant selection to bioactive natural products
  PI Stuppner; project associate & co-applicant Rollinger
• 2005-2008
  FFG-Bridge Project 810059
  Natural product derivatives for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases
  PI Rollinger

• 2020: Science Award 2020 of the federal state Vorarlberg, Austria.
• 2010        
  Science Award 2010 of the Capital City of Innsbruck/Austria for exceptional scientific research
• 2010       
  KIWIE silver medal for the patent ‘Morphinan-6-one compounds for the treatment or prevention of neurodegenerative diseases’ by Rollinger, J.M. et al. EP 09015938.5 (Patent filed at 23/12/2009).
• 2007       
  Recognition Award of the Jury of the City Innsbruck Award for outstanding scientific research at the University of Innsbruck 2007
• 2007       
  Recognition Award of the Jury of the Principality Liechtenstein Award for outstanding scientific research at the University of Innsbruck 2006
• 2005       
  PHOENIX Pharmazie Wissenschaftspreis 2005 for Pharmaceutical Chemistry
• 2005       
  Young talents grant 2005 awarded by the Leopold-Franzens University of Innsbruck
• 1989 & 1990       
  Merit scholarships awarded twice by the University of Innsbruck/AustriaKWIA (Korean International Woman’s Invention Association)

• Sanggenons for Antiviral Treatment: Rollinger J.M., Langeder J., Grienke U., Kirchweger B., Wasilewicz A., Dirsch V., Perhal A., Schwarz P., Schmidtke M., Döring K., Schmietendorf H., Rabenau H., Cinatl J., Bojkova D. (2023): Internat. Publ. No. WO 2023/280767 A1
• Pharmaceutical compositions comprising neuraminidase inhibitors for the treatment of influenza virus infection. Kirchmair, J.; Schmidtke, M.; Liedl, K.; Rollinger, J.M. (2013): Eur. Pat. Appl. EP 2599480 A1 20130605
• Morphinan-6-one compounds for the treatment or prevention of neurodegenerative diseases. Rollinger, J.M.; Prast, H., Schuster, D.; Langer, T.; Hornick, A.; Stuppner, H. (2009): EP 09015938.5, 44pp.  KIWIE Award
• Piperidine-based compounds as nonpeptidic promoters of apoptosis, and use in the treatment of hyperproliferative disease. Schyschka, L.; Vollmar, A.; Barth, N.; Stuppner, H.; Langer, T.; Rollinger, J.M.; Bliem, C. (2009): PCT Int. Appl., A1 20090528, 48pp.
• Non-peptidic promotors of apoptosis. Stuppner, H.; Langer, T.; Rollinger, J.M.; Bliem, C.; Vollmar, A.; Barth, N.; Schyschka, L. (2009): EP 2060564, European Patent Office; WO 2009065570, PCT Application.
• Use of extracts and constituents of Leontopodium as enhancers of cholinergic function. Prast, H.; Rollinger, J.M.; Schwaiger, S.; Stuppner, H. (2007): EP05014902.0, European Patent Office; PCT/EP2006/006633, PCT Application.
• Use of coumarin derivatives. Stuppner, H.; Langer, T.; Prast, H.; Rollinger, J.M.; Wolber, G. (2005): EP04009431.0, European Patent Office; PCT/EP2005/004250.
• Preparation of the diuretic torasemide in crystal modification III which offers increased stability and more rapid onset of activity. Dreckmann-Behrendt, B.; Burger, A.; Rollinger, J.M. (2000): US 6166045 A 20001226, 6 p.

• 1983-1990  
  Studies of pharmacy (Mag. pharm.) University of Innsbruck, Austria
• 1990-199   
  Training in immunology and microbiology, University of Innsbruck
• 1992
  Approbation as pharmacist (hospital pharmacy in Innsbruck)
• 1992-1994
  Maternity leave
• 1994-2005
  Half time position as assistant at the Institute of Pharmacy/Pharmacognosy, University of Innsbruck, Austria
• 1995-1999
  PhD in the group of Prof. A. Burger (crystal polymorphism), Institute of Pharmacognosy, University of Innsbruck, Austria
• 2000-2002
  Training in Molecular Modelling: CAMD-Group, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Innsbruck (Univ.-Prof. Dr. Thierry Langer)
• 2003-2005
  Half time position at Inte:Ligand (Software development and consulting, Maria Enzersdorf, Austria)
• 2005-2014
  Full time position at the Institute of Pharmacy / Pharmacognosy, University of Innsbruck, Austria
• 2007
  Habilitation and Venia legendi for Pharmacognosy at the University of Innsbruck
• 2007-2014
  Ao. Univ.-Professor of Pharmacognosy at the Institute of Pharmacy, University of Innsbruck
• 2013
  Visiting Professor at the Institute of Pharmacognosy, University of Vienna, Austria
• since 10/2014
  Full Professor in Pharmacognosy/Pharmaceutical Biology, University of Vienna, Austria
  Head of research group Phytochemistry & Biodiscovery
• 2011-2025
  Member of Board Directors of the Society of Medicinal Plants and Natural Product Research (GA)
• 2016-2018
  Associate Editor of Frontiers in Pharmacology, Speciality Ethnopharmacology
• 2016-2019, 2023-2024
  Editorial board member of Planta Medica
• 2019-
  Senator of the University of Vienna, Austria
• 2018-2019; 2024-2025
  Vice President of the Society of Medicinal Plants and Natural Product Research (GA)
• 2020-2023
  President of the Society of Medicinal Plants and Natural Product Research (GA)
• Member of the International Strategy and Evaluation Board of the Austrian Drug Screening Institute GmbH
• 2024-
  Member of the editorial advisory board of Journal of Natural Products (2024-2029)
• 2025-
  Coordinator of the FWF granted DocFunds project Anti-Infectives Drug Discovery – AIDD