1st Vienna Muscle Meeting

Held on 19. & 20. June 2026, under the leadership of Prof. Schaller, the 1st Vienna Muscle Symposium provided an excellent platform for international scientific exchange in the fields of muscle research and ICU-acquired weakness (ICUAW). Representatives from various research groups—including those from Prague, Leuven, Ulm, Munich, Berlin, Vienna, and other international research locations—discussed current developments, innovative methodological approaches, and future opportunities for collaboration.

The symposium focused on modern methodological approaches to investigating muscular changes associated with ICUAW, including mitochondrial dysfunction and metabolic disorders. Particular attention was paid to metabolic flux analysis, AV-metabolomics, and experimental and clinical techniques for characterizing muscle dysfunction in critically ill patients. The HyperMet and HyperICU projects also featured prominently; they were met with great interest and offered numerous starting points for future joint research.

The event impressively demonstrated the importance of interdisciplinary and international networking for advancing research into ICUAW and metabolic muscle pathophysiology. The intensive scientific exchange and open interdisciplinary discussion contributed significantly to the symposium's success and established a promising foundation for future collaborations.

HyperMet research examines the impact of muscle growth (hypertrophy) and muscle loss (atrophy) on metabolism. Increased muscle mass reduces the risk of obesity, diabetes, osteoporosis, and potentially cancer. We are exploring the underlying metabolic processes to develop new strategies for prevention and everyday life.