ao. Univ. Prof. Mag Dr. Florian Überall
Molecular Cancer Researcher and Nutritional Biochemist, Medical University of Innsbruck. Founder and Director of multiple health organizations, specializing in Traditional Asian Medicine and natural substance research
Distinguished molecular biologist and biochemist with over three decades of pioneering research in cancer biology and nutritional biochemistry at the prestigious Medical University of Innsbruck's Center for Chemistry and Biomedicine (CCB). Dr. Überall's remarkable academic journey began with comprehensive practical training in Kitzbühel as a druggist, pharmacy assistant, and chemical laboratory technician, providing him with an invaluable foundation in applied pharmaceutical sciences that would later inform his innovative approach to natural substance research. Following his secondary education at Adolf-Pichler-Platz in Innsbruck, he pursued advanced studies in microbiology and biochemistry at Leopold-Franzens University of Innsbruck, culminating in his habilitation in Medical Biochemistry in 2000, marking the beginning of his distinguished academic career.
Since 1993, Professor Überall has established himself as a leading authority in molecular cancer research, developing groundbreaking methodologies for understanding cellular mechanisms underlying oncogenesis and exploring innovative therapeutic interventions through nutritional biochemistry approaches. His research expertise encompasses complex molecular pathways involved in cancer development and progression, with particular emphasis on identifying natural compounds that demonstrate anti-carcinogenic properties and therapeutic potential. As founder and director of the Information Center for Tibetan Medicine and the Information Center for Health Through the Power of Nature (Nature Est Health), he has bridged the gap between ancient healing wisdom and modern scientific methodology, creating unprecedented opportunities for evidence-based evaluation of traditional therapeutic modalities.
His entrepreneurial vision led to the establishment of Natest – Natural Substance Testing & Consulting GmbH in Telfs, a specialized consultancy that provides comprehensive scientific evaluation services for natural health products, ensuring that traditional remedies meet rigorous modern safety and efficacy standards. For the past six years, Dr. Überall has served as a permanent member of the Advisory Board on Traditional Asian Medical Systems (TAM) at the Austrian Federal Ministry of Health in Vienna, where his expertise in natural substance research and traditional medicine evaluation has informed national health policy regarding complementary and alternative medical approaches.
Professor Überall's unique combination of rigorous molecular research methodology, extensive knowledge of traditional healing systems, and practical experience in natural substance evaluation makes him an invaluable contributor to the Mycoverse Foundation's mission of advancing mycological research and therapeutic applications. His deep understanding of bioactive compound identification, molecular mechanisms of natural therapeutics, and regulatory frameworks for natural health products positions him perfectly to advance the scientific understanding of medicinal fungi. His work in cancer research provides crucial insight into the potential anticancer properties of various mushroom species, while his expertise in Traditional Asian Medicine offers valuable perspective on the historical therapeutic use of fungi in Eastern healing traditions. Through his leadership in natural substance testing and consulting, he ensures that mycological research maintains the highest standards of scientific rigor while honoring the traditional wisdom that has recognized the therapeutic potential of fungi for millennia.