The term pathology originates from ancient Greek and literally means "doctrine of suffering" (pathos: 'suffering', logos: 'teaching'). It is the science of disease and forms the bridge between research and medicine.

The Department of Pathology and Molecular Pathology is located at Kepler University Hospital with the locations Med Campus III and Neuromed Campus.

As a clinical institute, it provides diagnostic services to the entire Kepler University Hospital on the one hand, and on the other hand, it conducts academic (basic) and applied research, e.g. cancer research, at the JKU Faculty of Medicine in the field of tissue visualization and digital pathology, and participates in university teaching in the study of human medicine.

Modern pathologists are dedicated to the abnormal and pathological processes and conditions in the human body as well as their causes. They analyze tissue for genetic changes and diagnose cancer and nonmalignant diseases. In cancer research, molecular pathology plays a particularly important role, as molecular pathologists analyze not only visible abnormalities under the microscope, but also the building blocks of DNA and RNA that are not visible to the naked eye. In this way, the focus shifts to the individual patient, rather than just looking at the disease itself.