Isar Aerospace becomes a unicorn

Dozens of new technologies require more and more satellites for data transmission – whether for communication networks, autonomous driving, or digital agriculture. To this end, companies want to launch entire swarms of satellites into space. These are comparatively small and are intended to move in low Earth orbits. Isar Aerospace wants to tap into this economic potential. The company, which was already honored with the TUM Presidential Entrepreneurship Award in 2023, completed its first test flight with a 28-meter-high launch vehicle from the Norwegian spaceport Andøya in March 2025. The company's founders, Daniel Metzler, Josef Fleischmann, and Markus Brandl, studied aerospace engineering at TUM. After founding the company in 2018, they built their first prototypes in the high-tech workshop MakerSpace at UnternehmerTUM, the center for innovation and entrepreneurship at TUM. They also received support from the XPRENEURS incubator. Unternehmertum Venture Capital Partners invested in the start-up alongside several other investors. The company is based in Ottobrunn, near the TUM Department of Aerospace and Geodesy. In a recent financing round, Isar Aerospace raised an additional $150 million from investors, achieving unicorn status. TUM President Thomas F. Hofmann is delighted: "Isar Aerospace is a great example of how things should work. The founders acquired their expertise at TUM, found each other as a team, and began to revolutionize rocket technology to tap the economic potential of aerospace for Germany! I would like to thank the founders and employees of Isar Aerospace for their pioneering spirit."

TUM produces the most start-up founders

Start-ups are considered an important factor for the success of a business location, and researchers and students are predestined to make new findings and technologies usable for the general public with companies. But which universities produce the most founders? Previous studies have been based on surveys on spin-offs in the narrower sense or comparatively generalized classifications. The Entrepreneurial Impact Study therefore investigated this question for the third time with an elaborate data analysis – for the first time for the entire DACH region, i.e. Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The researchers from TUM, ETH and the University of Innsbruck compiled around 51,000 start-ups that were founded in the three countries between 2014 and 2024 from several databases such as Startupdetector, Austrian Startup Monitor and Startupticker. They then used LinkedIn, the Dealroom and Crunchbase databases and company websites to record the universities at which the founders had studied and, if applicable, worked. They took into account the different educational and career stages and assigned the start-ups to the various institutions if these had made a substantial contribution to the founding teams' careers.

Exploring the urban soundscape

Traffic or construction site noises and the trams’ bell — when people think of city sounds, they often focus on the negative. This perception is reflected in urban planning, which tends to prioritize sound reduction. But the urban soundscape of the city is much more than that: birdsong, lively conversations, and children playing are also part of the city’s everyday sounds. “We’re trying to understand the relationship between biodiversity, mental health, and the urban soundscape — and how we can find ways to strengthen this link in a positive direction,” explains Leonie Schulz, a research associate in Urban Productive Ecosystems at TUM and project coordinator for CitySoundscapes. The goal of the project is to develop practical, evidence-based recommendations for cities and municipalities that incorporate public perspectives and help improve everyday life in urban areas. In addition to TUM and LMU, project partners include TU Berlin, Biotopia Lab, the Department of Climate and Environmental Protection of the City of Munich, Green City e.V., and the Munich chapter of BUND Naturschutz. In various sub-projects, the team studies selected locations across Munich to assess land use, green space design, and local biodiversity. One of these sub-projects involves the soundwalks — this is where the public gets involved. Following designated routes, participants explore their surroundings in small groups: Which sounds feel pleasant? Which are neutral? And which are simply annoying? Participants anonymously share their impressions on paper questionnaires or through a mobile app. Combined with data from other research, these responses provide the foundation for recommendations aimed at making city soundscapes more pleasant.

What makes our innovation ecosystem so successful?

Quantum satellite launched into space

The QUICK³ satellite is no bigger than a shoebox and weighs around 4kg. Its mission: to test quantum communication components that will achieve fully secure data transmissions from the sender to the receiver. Unlike conventional communications through fiber-optic cables, the information transmitted by a quantum communication satellite is not contained in light pulses made up of many photons but rather in individual, precisely defined photons. These photons have quantum states that make the transmission absolutely secure. Because any attempt to intercept the message will change the state of the photons, it will be immediately detected. The individual photons can neither be copied nor amplified, however. This limits their range in fiber-optic cables to a few hundred kilometers. Satellite-based quantum communication therefore utilizes the special characteristics of the atmosphere. In the upper atmospheric layers there is minimal scattering or absorption of light. This results in ideal conditions for secure data transmissions over long distances. To make quantum communication an everyday reality, a globe-spanning network of several hundred satellites will be needed. Before that, however, the QUICK³ mission aims to demonstrate that the individual components of the nano satellite can withstand conditions in space and successfully interact. Along with researchers from the ����Ժ (TUM), the QUICK³ satellite was developed primarily by scientists at Friedrich Schiller University Jena (FSU), the Ferdinand-Braun-Institut, Leibniz-Institut für Höchstfrequenztechnik (FBH) and Technical University Berlin (TUB) along with international partners at the Institute for Photonics and Nanotechnologies (CNR-IFN) in Italy and the National University of Singapore (NUS).

Robot treats injured people in flight

In a tension pneumothorax, air accumulates between the pleura and the lungs. This may occur after an injury like a gunshot wound, for example. The air cannot escape and becomes increasingly congested, causing a pressure buildup in the chest, compressing the lungs and ultimately affecting the heart and the large blood vessels. The pulse rises, blood pressure falls and eventually circulation collapses. “This tension pneumothorax is life-threatening,” says Carolin Müller, a researcher at the Clinic and Polyclinic for Trauma Surgery at TUM Hospital. If left untreated, the condition leads to death within minutes. “It is often overlooked, but is easy to treat by inserting a decompression needle into the chest so that the trapped air can escape.” Robot takes over first aid for injured people For the future treatment of patients at inaccessible locations, researchers have now developed a robot arm extension – an “end effector” – that combines a decompression needle, resembling the needle-catheter system used for vein access, with an ultrasound device. The needle can be inserted only in the Monaldi or the Bülau positions in the second and fifth intercostal spaces. These points can be accurately located using ultrasound. The system can also diagnose whether a pneumothorax is present. The new mechanism, developed by Müller in collaboration with researchers from the Chair of Microtechnology and Medical Device Technology (MiMed) at TUM and now being shown for the first time at Automatica, will push the needle and the catheter surrounding it through the skin. The catheter remains in the body while the needle is pulled out, allowing the air to escape. “This buys crucial time to treat patients with a tension pneumothorax, for example, after a chest injury as a result of a traffic accident or a gunshot wound,” explains Prof. Peter Biberthaler, Director of the Clinic and Polyclinic for Trauma Surgery at TUM Hospital. Combining a flight capsule and telemedicine applications in a single concept These results are part of the iMEDCAP research project, which the European Defense Fund launched on December 1, 2023, with three years of funding totalling 25 million euros. The focus is on the “development of intelligent military capabilities for monitoring, medical care and evacuation of infectious, injured and contaminated persons”. Under the leadership of the TUM Chair of Flight System Dynamics, 24 organizations from nine countries are involved in the research, including the German Federal Ministry of Defense, institutes of the German Armed Forces, and AVILUS, a startup founded by five TUM doctoral students that is working on the development of medical evacuation drones. Objectives include the ability to evacuate seriously injured patients from danger zones and crisis areas as quickly as possible by using the remoted-controlled Avilus Grille drone, which is now in the testing stages. The robotic arms attached to the drone will permit in-flight treatment with the participation of a doctor. The arms can use intervention modules to implement emergency medical decisions remotely to save lives. Further robotic modules under development The MiMed Rescue Robotics research group, headed by Christoph Parhofer, is developing further robotic modules. They will be capable of independently administering medication through the bone via ‘osseous access’, stopping severe bleeding in the arms and legs by applying a tourniquet, or injecting atropine, for example, in the event of a military emergency involving chemical weapons. “Our robotic modules can perform some of the tasks that need to be done immediately after an accident,” says MiMed chair holder Prof. Tim Lüth. “It is crucial for the application to be robust and failsafe when every second counts.”

"Thinking of biology as technology"

Professor Simmel, what are you and your colleagues researching in the new BioSysteM Cluster of Excellence? Essentially, it's about being able to design and control biological systems in a targeted manner – in other words, not just understanding biology but actively designing it. This used to be called "synthetic biology", but today, we tend to refer to it as "engineering biology." The aim is to design molecular building blocks – usually proteins or DNA – in such a way that they perform specific tasks. These components can then be assembled into larger biological systems. So, it's basic research with a strong focus on applied biotechnology? Biotechnology has been around for a long time, of course. The difference is that we don't just use biological processes; we construct completely new systems at the molecular level – sometimes even from scratch. One example is the design of artificial cells or molecular machines and motors. Our goal is to recreate, combine, or specifically improve biological functions – whether for medical, materials science, or even entirely new applications. How does artificial intelligence help in this? Enormously. AI-supported processes enable us to design proteins that never existed in nature. Many of these processes are highly complex and challenging to predict – AI can help to recognize patterns and suggest optimal designs. That is why we have established our own "AI Core Unit" within the cluster, with data scientists who directly support our research. This is complemented by an advisory board, which includes experts such as Karsten Borgwardt from the Max Planck Institute. Which disciplines work together in BioSysteM? We have a strong interdisciplinary approach: biophysics, biochemistry, molecular biology, bioengineering, computer science – and, of course, medicine. It is important to us to promote cooperation not only thematically but also structurally. This applies, for example, to developing complex cellular models such as organoids, which we can use to simulate biological systems – right down to tissue-like structures. A central principle here is self-organization: Many of the systems we design consist of a multitude of components that interact with each other. This interaction can give rise to entirely new functions and properties that cannot be derived from the properties of the individual parts alone. What specific goals do you have for the cluster? In addition to basic research, we also pursue application-oriented "M-Projects" – M stands for Mission or Munich. Here, several groups work together toward a clear goal – such as developing novel therapeutic concepts or diagnostic tools. One of these projects deals with the question of how cells can be targeted more specifically – via complex patterns on the cell membrane. This would be relevant for immune or cell therapy, for example. So, you are talking about identifying and targeting cells in a very specific way using certain patterns. Can this approach be taken even further? Would that ultimately result in something like intelligent nanorobots in the blood? The vision is not entirely wrong, even if the image is somewhat simplified. The aim is to develop molecular systems that recognize signals, respond to them, and, for example, become therapeutically active. You can think of them as mini-sensors that respond to a disease pattern and release targeted active substances – autonomously and without side effects for healthy cells. What other areas of application do you see? In addition to medicine, we see great potential in sustainable bioproduction. For example, we could develop novel enzyme cascades that allow substances to be produced more efficiently. There are also exciting prospects in materials science, such as bio-inspired sensors in robotics. How important is public perception of your research to you? It's central. We know that most people have little access to biological research – and at the same time, there is great interest but also skepticism, for example, towards genetic engineering. That is why we want to actively involve the public: with so-called "Biomolecular Design Studios", which we are implementing together with the Deutsches Museum. There, laypeople will be able to gain insight into our research – through experiments, exhibitions, and discussions. Is this also a contribution to linking science and ethics? Absolutely. We want to talk openly about risks and opportunities. Many of the methods we work with take place outside living organisms anyway – for example, in artificial cell models. Nevertheless, we have to reflect on what we are doing. To this end, we have brought science and technology sociologist Ruth Müller on board, among others, who is particularly interested in the social context. Some would say that what you are doing is the opposite of evolution – it is design. Yes and no. In many cases, we actually use evolutionary principles: we create many variants of a system, test their performance, and select the best ones. Combined with AI, rational design, high-throughput experiments, and evolutionary principles, this creates a powerful tool. This is a new research paradigm that differs fundamentally from previous approaches in biology. We want to think of biology as technology.

TUM rises to number 22 worldwide

TUM has moved up almost 40 places in the QS World University Rankings within just 10 years. In Germany, it is number one for the 11th consecutive year. “Being ranked among the best 25 universities is a brilliant affirmation for the hard work of our university community,” says TUM President Prof. Thomas F. Hofmann. “By forging closer ties between disciplines in research and teaching than other universities, we realize the enormous potential of our range of subjects – unmatched in Europe – extending from engineering and natural sciences to medicine, economics and social sciences. We are a vital hub for the exchange between industry, policy makers and civil society actors where they can identify key issues and collaborate on solutions. With our partners, including world-leading tech companies, and with our TUM Venture Labs as springboards for start-ups, we have turned Munich into one of the most dynamic innovation ecosystems. Furthermore, we are recruiting the best minds from all over the world. The diversity of the talented individuals working here is one of our strengths. This sends out a strong signal in these times of increasing restrictions on scientific freedom and international collaboration.” The British university service provider QS Quacquarelli Symonds compiles its university quality rankings through surveys of academics and employers. It also assesses the number of citations of published research, the faculty-student ratio and the success of graduates. Further criteria include the share of international students and staff, international research collaborations and sustainability aspects. The QS Ranking is one of the most widely recognized university rankings alongside the THE World University Ranking and the Academic Ranking of World Universities (“Shanghai Ranking”), in which TUM holds the 26th and 47th places, respectively. THE also ranks TUM as the best university in the European Union.

TUM remains global leader in innovation

The renowned British magazine Times Higher Education (THE) examines the global relevance of universities in various categories for the "University Impact Ranking". In the area of industry, innovation, and infrastructure, THE records the number of research publications in significant fields for sustainable innovations, such as energy, Industry 4.0, and smart cities. The ranking also considers how often research papers are cited in patents, how many start-ups are spun off, and how much third-party research funding universities receive from the industry. TUM again achieved the highest possible score and ranked first for the fourth time – this time alongside eleven other universities.

TUMCREATE Celebrates 15 Years in Singapore

Hosted under Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF) Campus for Research Excellence And Technological Enterprise (CREATE), TUMCREATE has contributed to advancing scientific solutions and a legacy of impact. TUMCREATE has been driving research across diverse domains such as electromobility, sustainable food solutions and processing technology, energy systems, and health tech with other leading Singaporean and global universities and research institutes. TUMCREATE’s current flagship programme, Proteins4Singapore, addresses the critical need to ensure a sustainable, nutritious, and secure food supply in rapidly growing urban environments and supports Singapore’s ‘30 by 30’ food security goal of producing 30% of its nutritional needs domestically. The collaborative environment at TUMCREATE has enabled deep academic and research exchanges leading to positive results. One successful milestone was EVA, the world's first electric taxi for the tropics, developed in 2015 in collaboration with Nanyang Technological University. TUMCREATE’s simulation technologies City Mobility Simulator (CityMoS) and Multi Energy System Modelling & Optimisation (MESMO) have been used in various government and industry projects to support the electrification of Singapore’s transport systems, infrastructure planning, and traffic flow optimisation. Based on a digital twin of Singapore, CityMoS’s utilisation to simulate traffic and mobility systems in real time has extended beyond Singapore through its commercial spin-off, intobyte. TUM President Prof. Thomas F. Hofmann says: “TUMCREATE, as a vital part of our activities in Singapore, exemplifies the spirit of scientific excellence, the passion for impact, and the added value of international cooperation that defines our university’s global mission. It brings together talents from different disciplines and continents, converges German engineering competences and Asian ingenuity, and connects TUM’s entrepreneurial spirit with Singapore’s dynamic innovation systems. I am confident that our teaching and research activities in Singapore will help to to shape a smarter, more sustainable future - together.” Bavaria's Minister of Science Markus Blume says: "Happy birthday! We are celebrating the 15th anniversary of an international success story. The cooperation between our Bavarian innovation ambassador, TUM, and the who's who of innovation makers from Singapore has created a very special spirit. TUMCREATE is a strong platform for research cooperation between the innovation regions of Bavaria and Singapore – a bridge of excellence between the continents. For us, it is clear that innovation comes from cooperation. TUM has long been a pioneer in the field of internationalization of our universities. As Bavaria, we are now further expanding our cooperation with the Asia-Pacific region through our new BayAP university and innovation center. This will also give TUM's strong commitment even more momentum." Professor Subodh Mhaisalkar, NRF Executive Director says: “Over the past decade and a half, TUMCREATE has built robust partnerships with local institutions and industry, developing innovative solutions across various domains including sustainability, urban mobility, food sciences and nutrition. While bridging the gap between cutting-edge research and practical applications, the centre has provided solutions for topics related to deployment of electric vehicles, cargo management, and resource circularity.”

TUM Asia to host new “Bavarian University and Innovation Center Asia-Pacific”

For over 22 years, TUM has maintained a strong presence in Singapore. With its recent relocation, TUM Asia is now strategically positioned at two locations, on the campus of NTU as well as on the new campus of the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT). Beyond its academic offerings, TUM Asia also encompasses TUMCREATE, a multidisciplinary research platform located at the Singapore Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise. Together with partner universities, public institutions, and industry partners, TUMCREATE is driving cutting-edge research in areas such as protein science, sustainability, medical diagnostics, mobility, and energy. The mission of BayAP is to promote international academic collaboration by supporting Bavarian universities and researchers in expanding their global partnerships. As a central hub, it aims to foster synergies between Bavarian and Singaporean institutions of higher learning, as well as their respective start-up and innovation ecosystems - particularly in the fields of deep tech, innovation, and entrepreneurship. TUM President Prof. Thomas F. Hofmann emphasized: "The expansion of TUM into Singapore has marked a significant milestone in the internationalization strategy of our university. It has become both a role model and one of our key success factors. In today’s interconnected world, international cooperation is vital to addressing the grand challenges humanity is facing. Therefore, we further strengthend our engagement in Singapore by entering into a flagship partnership with NTU last year." Bavaria’s Science Minister Markus Blume stated: “Bavaria and Singapore share a strong culture of innovation, a high quality of life, and economic success. We are deepening our collaboration – and both sides will benefit. For us, Singapore is the gateway to the Asia-Pacific innovation region. With our university and innovation center BayAP, we are positioning ourselves as a European high-tech location and a premium research partner. The BayAP is the first official presence of a German federal state in research in Singapore. This marks a strategic milestone in the internationalization of our universities. And we are once again breaking new ground – just as we did over 20 years ago: in 2002, we established TUM Asia, the first international campus of any German university. Today, with BayAP, we are creating a point of contact for all Bavarian universities – a center for networking, matchmaking, and support programs. At the same time, this branch is an invitation to high potentials from the Asia-Pacific region to come to Bavaria.” Dr. Markus Wächter, Managing Director of TUM Asia, added: "TUM Asia’s relocation to NTU underscores our long-term commitment to growth and deeper academic integration within Singapore’s dynamic educational landscape. This new location not only reinforces the flagship partnership between TUM and NTU, but also houses the regional support office for the Bavarian University and Innovation Center Asia-Pacific. Through this initiative, we aim to catalyze cross-border research collaborations and foster academic mobility between Singapore and Bavaria." Since its founding in 2002, TUM Asia has graduated over 3,000 students from more than 45 countries, offering doctoral, master’s, and bachelor’s degree programs, alongside an extensive portfolio of lifelong learning opportunities. Students enrolled in TUM Asia’s degree programs receive diplomas directly from TUM, while participants in joint programs earn degrees conferred jointly by TUM and its partner universities in Singapore.

Three TUM researchers awarded ����Ժ Advanced Grants

To date, researchers at TUM have secured a total of 240 ����Ժ Grants, including 46 Advanced Grants. These prestigious awards target established researchers who have achieved significant scientific success over the past ten years. Each grant provides up to €2.5 million in funding.

MIRMI showcases advanced AI-based robotics

For the first time, the ����Ժ (TUM) and the Robotics Institute Germany (RIG) are appearing side by side at Automatica. Under the high-tech platform munich_i, MIRMI, TUM's integrated institute for robotics and AI, provides a multifaceted insight into practical applications. The approximately 25 onsite demos include a mobile environmental laboratory equipped with a drone, submarine and small terrestrial robot, exosuits that support the upper body or legs, and startups such as SmartAIs, which uses AI to help blind people with orientation. Special thematic focuses here are on two crucial strategic topics of MIRMI: geriatronics and the question of how technology can support people in care and old age, and how KI.Fabrik deals with AI and robotics in the production environment. In addition, several start-ups are supported by the MIRMI incubator robo.innovate. RIG STAGE: Stage program featuring many TUM researchers The stage program will kick off on the first three days with short presentations of selected demos. The RIG STAGE, under the auspices of RIG, will focus on environment and mobility, health, work and young talent. MIRMI will be represented by many speakers and panel members, including MIRMI Director and RIG Coordinator Prof. Angela Schoellig and MIRMI Executive Director Prof. Lorenzo Masia. Ethics professor Alena Buyx and professor of science and technology studies Ruth Müller will discuss responsibility in automation, while robo.innovate manager Nicole Ebner and MIRMI board member Prof. Eckehard Steinbach will bring start-ups to the stage. In addition, researchers from RIG partner universities will present some of RIG's recently approved research clusters, among other topics.   Robotics and AI at the munich_i Hightech Summit: top researchers meet industry The international congress ‘munich_i Hightech Summit’, scheduled for the opening day of Automatica on June 24, 2025, will focus on ‘Visions of future robotics and AI.’ In four different sessions, internationally renowned researchers will discuss "Autonomy and interaction in robotics," "Networking of cooperative robots," "Generative AI in robotics and big data" and "Future medical robotics". The event is remarkable for bringing together the worlds of research and industry. While the Alan Turing Institute conducts research on machine learning for future generations of robots, TU Dresden on AI and robotics in the operating theater, and the University of Pisa on human-robot integration, companies are already putting modern AI and robotics into practice. Honda, Google, Meta, and Continental, among others, will be on hand to provide insights. Robothon at munich_i: 10,000 euros in prize money An almost traditional highlight of Automatica is back for the fourth time this year, with the Robothon competition again pitting international research teams vying to demonstrate the superior agility and responsiveness of their robot platforms. The tasks will involve electronic waste disposal. After solving the standard task, the teams will show off the skills of their own devices in the Bring-Your-Own-Device Challenge. A jury of industry experts and top researchers will keep score for the eight competing teams from Germany, Ireland, India, and the United Arab Emirates. At the award ceremony on June 27, the winning teams share the total prize money of 10,000 euros. automatica: ‘The entire spectrum of robotics and AI’ "At automatica, we showcase the entire spectrum of robotics and AI – from practical solutions in the demo area to a robotics competition, various presentations and panel discussions, and a high-profile international conference. It's a great mix," says Prof. Lorenzo Masia, Executive Director of MIRMI.

Tracking immune cells inside the body

When standard treatments for diseases like cancer fail, custom-tailored cell therapies are increasingly becoming a viable option. A prominent example is CAR T-cell therapy. In this approach, immune cells are taken from the patient and genetically engineered in the lab to carry a receptor that recognizes structures specific to the surface of cancer cells. These modified immune cells then multiply in the body and initiate an immune response against the tumor. Physicians could greatly benefit from knowing exactly how these modified immune cells behave in the body: Do they migrate to where they are needed? Do they replicate sufficiently? Do they behave unpredictably and, in the worst-case scenario, attack healthy tissue? Currently, there are no clinically applicable methods to answer these critical questions.

How artificial intelligence can learn from mice

Whether in mice, cats, or humans: Even before vertebrates open their eyes, a built-in training program begins in the retina — entirely independent of external stimuli. Spontaneous activity patterns spread in wave-like motions across the eye’s neural tissue. This neural activity, known as “retinal waves”, coordinates the early wiring between the retina and the brain’s visual system. In a way, the eye starts practicing vision before encountering the real world. Researchers at TUM have now shown that artificial neural networks — which mimic the function of the brain — can also benefit from this kind of pre-training. “Artificial neural networks are typically trained using data that closely resembles the task they’re intended to perform. When viewed in analogy to how the visual system develops in living organisms, their learning process begins only when the eyes open. We took inspiration from nature and incorporated a pre-training stage, analogous to that in the biological visual system, into the training of neural networks,” says Julijana Gjorgjieva, Professor of Computational Neuroscience at TUM.

Clinical elective in an emergency zone

Artificial intelligence to support cancer treatment

Around two thirds of all cancer patients look for information about their illness online. They submit questions to chatbots, scroll through forums, click their way through portals, where the information they find is often obsolete, incomplete or false. Medical specialists also make frequent use of digital resources when searching for treatments or information on correct medication dosages and face the same problems. That is the starting point for the AIdvice Assistant, an AI-supported search tool that will be developed and tested by researchers at TUM and the TUM University Hospital over the coming years. They will be supported by 1.5 million dollars in funding from the Google.org Accelerator: Generative AI. With its project, TUM was chosen as one of 20 non-profit organizations worldwide.

What TUM students are experiencing at Harvard

She wishes to remain anonymous. Others who are currently studying or working at Harvard University no longer respond to inquiries. This is understandable, as attracting negative attention from the U.S. government could result in the loss of one's visa. The young woman talking to us is studying in a master's program at the TUM School of Computation, Information and Technology. Until a few days ago, she was a visiting researcher as part of a study program at Harvard Business School. She came to the USA at the beginning of the year with a "J1 Student Internship" visa, i.e. a residence permit for a student internship. Harvard had already recommended that she entered the country before Trump's inauguration on January 20. "It was anticipated early on that there could be difficulties." However, when entering the country, it also depends on which border officials you meet. The TUM student left and re-entered the country once over Easter. "The border officer was very friendly and congratulated me on Harvard." But she had also heard of completely different experiences. She has since left the country, a plan she had already made earlier.

Proteins for tomorrow’s medicine

Shedding Light on the Building Blocks of Nature

The research, published in the academic journal Nature, represents an essential step in quantum computing and demonstrates its potential by directly simulating fundamental interactions with Google's quantum processor. In the future, researchers could use this approach to gain deeper insights into particle physics, quantum materials, and even the nature of space and time itself. The aim is to understand how nature works at its most fundamental level, described by so-called gauge theories.

TUM ranked 7th for the training of digital leaders

Which universities are the best at training their students to work with digital technologies? Which graduates contribute to the innovative strength of the digital economy? Where did the digital leaders of large companies and start-ups study? To find out, the consulting firm Emerging identified the university degrees of 150,000 digital professionals working for the world's most innovative companies. In addition, 2,000 managers, specialists and start-up founders in digital sectors were asked about the best degree programs and graduates. At 7th place, TUM is once again among the top 10 in the Digital Leaders in Higher Education rankings, the only university in the European Union to do so. In the fields of Computer Science and Digital Entrepreneurship, TUM is ranked 4th, thus belonging to the top quartet alongside the University of Cambridge, Harvard University and the University of Oxford and MIT, respectively. It placed 9th in the Digital Transformation Management field of study. Other rankings also demonstrate that TUM optimally prepares its students for the professional world. In the Global University Employability Ranking, for which around 13,000 managers in more than 30 countries are surveyed, TUM holds the 13th position. In the CHE University Rankings, students regularly give very good ratings for the study conditions and the courses on offer. The QS Best Student Cities Ranking ranks Munich 4th as a location for studying abroad.

A therapeutic virus against cancer

The Fusix virus wreaks havoc in tumor cells – with the goal of fighting cancer and saving lives. It does so by causing an infected tumor cell to produce large amounts of a protein that anchors itself to the cell’s surface. This sends a signal to neighboring cells to fuse with the infected one. They obey immediately: first one, then the next, and so on – until the entire structure literally bursts. The released cell contents trigger the immune system. Alerted immune cells clear the debris, attack intact cancer cells that had previously evaded immune detection, and help limit the virus’s further spread. This approach could one day help treat tumors that don’t respond to conventional therapies. At the Clinic and Polyclinic for Internal Medicine II at the TUM University Hospital, Jennifer Altomonte is developing virus-mediated immunotherapies. She laid the scientific foundation for Fusix back in 2016. At the time, Altomonte was exploring ways to employ viruses to fight cancer.

Promoting first-generation students

In a laboratory at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore, flickering monitors show a succession of satellite images, soil data, and chemical analyses from the university’s nearby experimental field. Anna Lena Salfer is part of a research team investigating the potential of enhanced rock weathering as a method of binding carbon in land used for agricultural purposes. Alongside geoscientific modeling, the team’s analyses primarily draw on data from international emissions trading registries, which help to improve their understanding of the criteria used in standardizing and certifying carbon reduction technologies. Their research assists in supporting credible emissions trading schemes in south-east Asia, representing a key step towards establishing sustainable climate protection strategies in the region.

Michael Decker is the new Director General

Decker said of his new role: "What sets the Deutsches Museum apart is that it doesn't just exhibit new scientific discoveries and new technologies, but also provides a forum for discussing their potential consequences for society – both positive and negative. Museums have been shown to enjoy high trust among the public – and I would like to take advantage of this. And the more visitors, the more children come, the better." He sees it as a great honor and responsibility to lead the museum. The Deutsches Museum is considered the world's largest museum of science and technology. Decker was appointed professor to the Oskar von Miller Chair of Science Communication at TUM in the spring, a position previously held by Heckl. Before that, Decker was a professor of technology assessment at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). The 59-year-old studied physics in Heidelberg and also earned his doctorate there. He completed his habilitation at the University of Freiburg. Most recently, he was head of the Department of Computer Science, Economics, and Society at KIT.

Green hydrogen from Africa much more costly than previously assumed

Green hydrogen is considered an important component for climate-friendly industrial production, for example in the steel industry. Hydrogen is regarded as ‘green’ when the electrolysis used to produce it is powered by renewable energy sources. Because Europe is unlikely to be capable of meeting its own needs, the focus has increasingly shifted to Africa in recent years. Governments and the private sector have high hopes that production sites for export could be developed in African coastal countries with favorable conditions for solar and wind power. The first projects are currently being planned, although most plants are still in the concept development stages. When analyzing these projects, researchers at TUM, the University of Oxford and ETH Zurich observed that the cost estimates were highly imprecise in many cases. “Most of the conventional models for green hydrogen plants typically use uniform financing costs. However, the investment environment is different in every country and is subject to especially high risks in many African countries,” says Florian Egli, who holds the Professorship for Public Policy for the Green Transition at TUM. Consequently, the research team developed a new method for calculating the financing costs of green hydrogen production facilities, in other words the costs to the plant operators for raising capital for their investments. This takes into account the specific conditions for hydrogen production in 31 African countries such as transportation and storage options and the degree of legal certainty and political stability. The model assumes that the production plants will be operational by 2030 and that the hydrogen will be converted into ammonia and shipped to Rotterdam.

10,000 kilometers to promote educational equity

Emmanuel Adjei is an enthusiastic cyclist and has already completed several ambitious tours. But what he plans with “Bike2MyRoots” is a whole new dimension even for him: he will cover around 10,000 kilometers, crossing mountains, seas, and deserts. “It’s a bit crazy – but that’s the point: I want to show the children in Ghana that you can achieve anything – even if it seems a bit crazy at first!”

Two new Collaborative Research Centers at TUM

The DFG's Collaborative Research Centers are among the most important research funding programs in Germany. They enable ambitious, interdisciplinary and long-term research projects. Collaborative Research Centers whose partners cooperate on a supra-regional level are called Transregios. TUM was successful twice in the current selection round: SFB/Transregio “Data-driven agile planning for responsible mobility” How can the forecasting and management of traffic flows be improved? And how can the various interests of traffic participants be taken into account in a more balanced way than before? The AgiMo Collaborative Research Center aims to develop new methods for agile mobility planning using a comprehensive approach based on data and computer models. New criteria for responsible mobility based on the so-called 4F principles - Function, Form, Fairness and Forever - are to be defined and applied. On this basis, the researchers want to develop a digital twin in order to make data and models available open source. They also want to investigate how all relevant stakeholders can participate in the design of evidence-based future scenarios. To this end, the technical and social sciences are working closely together at AgiMo. Applicant universities: TU Dresden and TUM Responsible at TUM: co-spokesperson Prof. Dr. Klaus Bogenberger, Chair of Traffic Engineering and Control, and Prof. Dr. Allister Loder, Professorship of Mobility Policy Spokesperson: Prof. Dr. Regine Gerike (TU Dresden) Partner institutions: TU Berlin, TU Braunschweig and German Aerospace Centert (DLR) SFB/Transregio “Simulation-based learning in higher education: Advancing research on process diagnostics and personalized interventions (SHARP)” In many professions, such as medicine and school teaching, increasingly complex analytical and communication skills are expected. Students could be better prepared for these requirements with simulations training them in practical situations with virtual patients or simulated pupils. The SHARP Collaborative Research Center will investigate how such simulations can be designed and applied. The researchers want to use artificial intelligence to adapt simulations to the respective level of competence and different needs. They also want to investigate what skills university lecturers need to be able to implement personalized, simulation-based learning effectively in degree courses. SHARP is the first Collaborative Research Center in educational research and brings together the disciplines of psychology, educational science, computer science, mathematics, medicine, biology, chemistry and physics. Applicant universities: LMU and TUM Responsible at TUM: co-spokesperson Prof. Dr. Tina Seidel, Friedl Schöller Endowed Chair for Educational Psychology Spokesperson: Prof. Dr. Frank Fischer (LMU) Partner institutions: University of Augsburg, Leibniz Supercomputing Centre The German Research Foundation has established a total of 13 new Collaborative Research Centers. From October 2025, they will initially be funded for three years and nine months with a total of around 177 million euros.

Claudia Eckert becomes President of the National Academy of Science and Engineering

"Increasing innovative power to strengthen Germany's competitiveness is one of the key tasks for the future. As a link between scientific invention and economic innovation, acatech has a key role to play here. As acatech President, I would like to work to further strengthen this important role of acatech in the innovation system and to substantially support Germany's competitiveness by actively helping to shape technology-driven innovation," says Claudia Eckert. "We cannot solve the great challenges of our time with the same approach that we used when we created them," emphasises the acatech President-designate, freely paraphrasing Albert Einstein. "The wide-ranging scientific excellence of acatech's members and partners forms the indispensable foundation of our work. On this basis, we develop new approaches, impulses and concrete recommendations for policymakers based on facts and evidence. Building on this and in close dialogue with politics, business and society, we identify future-oriented options for action and provide guidance on how Germany can strengthen its future viability." "In Claudia Eckert, an excellent technology scientist and sought-after IT security researcher, is taking over the role of acatech President," says outgoing President Jan Wörner. "Claudia Eckert's research is of outstanding importance for the security, resilience and innovative capacity of our country. As acatech President, she will bring enormous benefits to the Academy and our innovation hub with her profound experience and networking," emphasises Co-President Thomas Weber. Claudia Eckert is Professor for IT Security at TUM and executive director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied and Integrated Security AISEC. She researches new methods and technologies to increase the security and trustworthiness of digital, networked systems. Claudia Eckert is a long-standing member of the Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities and has been an acatech member since 2010; she became a member of the acatech Executive Board in 2014. In 2023, TUM honoured her with the Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Medal for her outstanding contributions in the field of IT security.

“A good education can change an entire life.”

Silent X chromosome awakens with age

Unlike men, who carry one X and one Y chromosome, women have two X chromosomes in each cell. However, one of the two X chromosomes is effectively silenced. It folds into a compact structure known as the Barr body and can no longer be read. Without this mechanism, the genes on the X chromosome would be read twice as often in women as in men. Scientists have known for some time that some genes can escape inactivation in the Barr body, resulting in higher gene activity in women. These genes are suspected to influence disease. “We have now shown for the first time that with increasing age, more and more genes escape the inactivation of the Barr body,” says Dr. Daniel Andergassen, group leader at the Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology at TUM. The study was published in the journal Nature Aging.