The Pilat Lab focuses on translational research in immunology with a clear focus on organ transplantation, complemented by translational approaches in oncology. Our goal is to understand and therapeutically modulate immune responses to promote transplantation tolerance and strengthen anti‑tumor immunity.
We combine advanced cellular and molecular methods with clinically relevant preclinical in‑vivo and ex‑vivo models to develop novel immunotherapeutic strategies. Our laboratory works in close collaboration with the physicians of the Depratment of Cardiac Surgery and the Vienna Heart Transplant Team.
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Our Research Topics
Our research bridges basic and clinical science to understand the mechanisms of immunological tolerance and cellular/humoral immunity, with a particular focus on transplantation immunology. Major research areas include:
- Transplantation Immunology: Investigating immunoregulatory mechanisms in heart transplantation with a focus on regulatory T cells (Tregs) in murine models and clinical trials, and studying the mechanisms of extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) as immunomodulatory therapy in heart transplantation.
- Mechanisms of Heart Preservation: Developing biomarker‑guided and gene‑therapy‑based strategies to actively repair and optimize donor hearts during ex‑vivo preservation — transforming heart transplantation from passive storage into active therapy.
- Treg-based cellular Therapy: Developing protocols for the expansion, stability analysis, and functional characterization of Tregs for use in cellular immunotherapy to prevent graft rejection.
- Tumor Immunology: Analyzing the role of γδ T cells in colorectal cancer and evaluating preclinical models for autologous tumor vaccines in renal cell carcinoma.
Our work aims to generate insights that contribute to the advancement of diagnosis, therapy, and prevention in the long term.
"At the HTX Research Lab, we bridge basic immunology and clinical innovation in pursuit of the holy grail of transplantation — durable immune tolerance. By improving organ preservation and modulating the alloimmune response, we strive to make every valuable organ usable and lasting — moving closer to our vision of “one organ for life”. "
Cooperations
Collaboration is a central part of our research. The Pilat Lab works closely with several departments of the Medical University of Vienna and maintains an active network of national and international partners at leading universities. In addition, we are actively involved in various scientific societies to advance transplant immunology and the future of organ transplantation.
Akademic Cooperations
National Cooperations
Gerd Silberhumer (MUW Visceralchirurgie)
Hannes Stockinger (MUW Zentrum für Pathophysiologie, Infektiologie und Immunologie)
Victoria Stary (MUW Visceralchirurgie)
Michael Bergmann (MUW Visceralchirurgie)
Oliver Neubauer (Universität Wien)
Felix Kraft (MUW Anästhesie)
International Cooperations
Jonathan Sprent (Garvan Institute, Sydney, Australia)
Katja Kotsch (Charite, Berlin, Germany)