Research Highlights

A Quality-Conscious Protein

Hypothetical model of recognition of a mutant membrane protein by the signal peptidase complex. A disease-associated Cx32 mutant interacts in the model with the SPCS1 subunit of the signal peptidase complex.
© Manuel Hitzenberger; Figure was compiled using ChimeraX 1.4

Wissenschaftler entdecken neue Funktion eines altbekannten Enzyms

[01.12.2022] Researchers have identified a new function of a well-known enzyme: the signal peptidase complex is responsible for the quality control of membrane proteins. The discovery of this new function for a key enzyme in cell biology has been published in ‘Science’ and could lead to new therapeutic approaches for Alzheimer’s and other protein-misfolding diseases [more...]

Cell-free production of bacteriophages

Prof. Gil Westmeyer (l.) and his research team, in collaboration with Kilian Vogele (r.) and the start-up Invitris, have developed a new controlled production method to create bacteriophages for therapeutic use.
Image: A. Heddergott / TUM

Viruses help combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria

[26.07.2022] More and more bacteria are becoming resistant to antibiotics. Bacteriophages are one alternative in the fight against bacteria: These viruses attack very particular bacteria in a highly specific way. Now a Munich research team has developed a new way to produce bacteriophages efficiently and without risk. [more...]

Pilot plant for renewable hydrogen

A pilot plant is to produce hydrogen from biogas in Bavaria.
Image: iStockphoto.com / Animaflora

New technology to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by up to 40 percent

[09.06.2022] A pilot plant for the production of hydrogen from biogas is to be built in Bavaria. It is based on a new technology that is expected to drastically reduce the energy required for the production of hydrogen compared to conventional technologies. This will be achieved by integrating resistive heating into the chemical reactor. The technical development and practical realization of this approach are the goals of the EReTech project, which is funded by the EU and coordinated by the Technical University of Munich (TUM). [more...]

Mini-fuel cell generates electricity using the body's sugar

Prof. Jennifer Rupp and her team have developed a highly efficient glucose fuel cell.
Image: Uli Benz / TUM; Kunstwerk: Christian Wichmann

Glucose energy source for medicinal implants and sensors

Glucose is the most important energy source in the human body. Scientists at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) now want to use the body's sugar as an energy source for medicinal implants. They have developed a glucose fuel cell which converts sugar into electricity. [more...]

Light makes ions mobile

Prof. Dr. Jennifer Rupp, professor for chemistry of solid electrolytes in her laboratory at the faculty of chemistry of the Technical University of Munich.
Image: Uli Benz / TUM

Light may increase performance of fuel cells and lithium-ion batteries

[21.03.2022] Lithium-ion batteries, fuel cells and many other devices depend on the high mobility of ions in order to work properly. But there a large number of obstacles to such mobility. A research team led by Jennifer L. M. Rupp of the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and Harry L. Tuller of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have now shown for the first time that light can be used to increase the mobility of ions and improve the performance of such devices. [more...]

With machine learning to new supramolecular materials

Die beiden Koordinierenden des Innovation Network ARTEMIS Prof. Angela Casini und Prof. Alessio Gagliardi erforschen neue supramolekulare Materialien.
Image: Andreas Heddergott / TUM

Macro-assemblies for medical applications and energy production

[17.03.2022] New supramolecular materials can be used in energy production and medical devices. The team of the TUM Innovation Network ARTEMIS aims to identify the best supramolecular materials for use with the help of machine learning. [more...]

Can algae save the world?

Starting from algae Dr. Mahmoud Masri, scientist at the Werner Siemens Chair for Synthetic Biotechnology at TUM, has developed a process yielding a yeast oil, which absolutely equals palm oil in terms of food technology, but has a significantly better ecological balance.
Image: Andreas Heddergott / TUM

A TV documentary on ARTE shows what algae can do for us

[28.01.2022] Algae have created the basis for our life on earth. Given the current problems, could they help us again? In her documentation, editor Jenny von Sperber visits, among others, Prof. Brück at the Technical University of Munich (TUM). He conducts research on algae at the Werner Siemens Chair in Synthetic Biotechnology. The documentary presents some of his ideas. [more...]

Invisible virus protection for indoor spaces

UV-C light extricates aerosols from pathogens such as the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This creates an invisible virus protection wall that protects the people behind it without restricting people's freedom of movement. An automatic shut-off device protects people passing through from UV radiation.
Image: iStockphoto V I Levi; Modifikation: Smart United GmbH

Room divider based on UV-C light invisibly inactivates SARS-CoV-2 aerosols

[21.12.2021] Despite myriad precautionary measures, virus-contaminated aerosols still pose a serious problem indoors. An invisible protective wall of UV-C light developed by researchers at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and the Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine at the LMU University Hospital Munich could provide a solution and reliably curb the spread of viruses and other pathogens in rooms in the future while allowing total freedom of movement. [more...]

A medication against SARS-CoV-2

Prof. Dr. med. Ulrike Protzer (r), head of the Institute for Virology at the Technical University of Munich and Director at the Helmholtz Munich, with an employee at the PCR analyzer in the Institute for Virology at the TUM university hospital Klinikum rechts der Isar.
Image: Astrid Eckert / TUM

New strategy also promises protection against future SARS-CoV-2 variants

[14.12.2021] Diamonds for quantum technology, a test for urinary tract infections and a machine learning method for testing computer games: these three start-ups ideas were announced yesterday as winners of the TUM IDEAward. The day also marked the first-ever presentation of the TUM Deep Tech IDEAward, offered to teams established in other countries that wish to launch their start-up in Munich. [more...]

New prize established for international start-up teams

Robin Allert and the QuantumDiamonds team received the TUM IDEAward to advance their start-up.
Image: Uli Benz / TUM

TUM IDEAward for quantum engineering project

[26.11.2021] Diamonds for quantum technology, a test for urinary tract infections and a machine learning method for testing computer games: these three start-ups ideas were announced yesterday as winners of the TUM IDEAward. The day also marked the first-ever presentation of the TUM Deep Tech IDEAward, offered to teams established in other countries that wish to launch their start-up in Munich. [more]

Catalyzing the conversion of biomass to biofuel

Prof. Lercher in his laboratory at the Department of Chemistry at the Technical University of Munich.
Image: Andreas Heddergott / TUM

Water in zeolites saves energy in the conversion of biomass into biofuel

[30.06.2021] Zeolites are extremely porous materials: Ten grams can have an internal surface area the size of a soccer field. Their cavities make them useful in catalyzing chemical reactions and thus saving energy. An international research team has now made new findings regarding the role of water molecules in these processes. One important application is the conversion of biomass into biofuel. [more...]

Versatile and reliable SARS-CoV-2 antibody assay

Lead author Julia Klüpfel with a measuring chip at the laboratory of TranslaTUM.
Image: S. Kissel / TUM

Automated microarray rapid test for detecting SARS-CoV-2 antibodies

During the continued progression of the Corona pandemic, rapid, inexpensive, and reliable tests will become increasingly important to determine whether people have the associated antibodies – either through infection or vaccination. Researchers at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) have now developed such a rapid antibody test. It provides the result in only eight minutes; the aim is to further reduce the process time to four minutes. [more...]

Tuning the energy gap

Varying the ratio of 3T molecules (foreground) and 6T molecules (indicated in the background) in the blend allows tuning the gap continuously.
Credit: Sebastian Hutsch, Frank Ortmann

A novel approach for organic semiconductors

[11.06.2021] What is already established for inorganic semiconductors stays a challenge for their organic counterparts: Tuning the energy gap by blending different semiconducting molecules to optimize device performance. Now, scientists from TU Munich, in cooperation with researchers at TU Dresden, as well as University of Würzburg, HU Berlin, and Ulm University demonstrated how to reach this goal. [more...]

Play it safe

Nano-scale complexion suppresses dendrite nucleation in solid state electrolyte.
Copyright: Vera Hiendl, e-conversion (TUM)

A microscopic perspective towards durable solid state batteries

[07.06.2021] The ions in a solid state battery need to travel through multiple material interfaces which comes along with several challenges. A team of the TU Munich, the Fritz-Haber-Institute and the For-schungszentrum Jülich now shows that nano-scale coating at these interfaces may in fact stabilize the battery. [more...]

CRCs to study immunotherapies and photocatalysis

Reasearch at TUM's Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene: the institute's director, Prof. Dirk Busch, is the speaker of a new Transregional Collaborative Research Center on therapies based on genetically modified immune cells.
Image: Astrid Eckert / TUM

Two new DFG Collaborative Research Centers at TUM

[25.05.2021] Green light for trailblazing projects: The German Research Foundation (DFG) has approved applications from TUM and partner institutions to fund two new Transregional Collaborative Research Centers (TRRs). TUM scientists will assume the speaker role in TRRs dedicated to photocatalysis and immunotherapies with lymphocytes. The DFG has also approved another new group with TUM involvement and granted extensions to five existing projects. [more...]

Towards new solar cells with active machine learning

Actively self-learning, the algorithm moves on and on through the infinite molecular space and keeps
suggesting new molecules that could be the basis for the next generation of solar cells.
Image: Christian Kunkel / TUM

Fewer requirements let artificial intelligence discover new materials

[27.04.2021] A research team from the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and the Fritz Haber Institute in Berlin uses active machine learning in the search for suitable molecular materials for new organic semiconductors, the basis for organic field effect transistors (OFETs), light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) and organic solar cells (OPVs). To efficiently deal with the myriad of possibilities for candidate molecules, the machine decides for itself which data it needs. [more...]

Biomass production by reverse citric acid cycle

Co-author Thomas M. Steiner and the gas
chromatograph with coupled mass spectrometer,
with which he analyzed the metabolic products.
Image: Thomas Geisberger / TUM

Central metabolic pathway runs "backwards" at high carbon dioxide concentrations

[23.04.2021] A research team from the University of Münster and the Technical University of Munich (TUM) has gained new insights into the citric acid cycle: At very high carbon dioxide concentrations, bacteria can also use this central metabolic pathway "backwards" to build useful compounds from carbon dioxide using the enzyme citrate synthase. It is possible that these findings can also be used biotechnologically. [more...]

TUM Innovation Networks ready to go

Prof. Job Boekoven (left) is the coordinator of the TUM Innovation Network Robot Intelligence in the
Synthesis of Life (RISE).
Image: Andreas Heddergott / TUM

Interdisciplinary research off to a new start

[31.03.2021]The Technical University of Munich (TUM) will use its interdisciplinary TUM Innovation Networks to create even more space for scientific creativity and groundbreaking developments. The first three TUM Innovation Networks address the diagnosis and treatment of psychological illnesses using Artificial Intelligence (AI), the development of novel materials using machine learning, and investigation of the nature of life using chemical and biophysical experiments in combination with AI and robotics. [more...]

Cloudy eyes caused by protein imbalance

In cataracts, the lens of the eye, which is actually clear, becomes cloudy.
Image: Uli Benz / TUM

[16.02.2021] Cataracts are the most common eye ailment in humans. However, the exact processes leading to this condition are not fully understood. A team of researchers headed by the Technical University of Munich (TUM) has now discovered that the composition of the protein solution plays a decisive role. Their conclusions are contrary to prevailing opinion in the field. [more...]

Alwin Mittasch Prize 2021 goes to Johannes A. Lercher

[09.02.2021] The Alwin Mittasch Prize 2021 is awarded to Prof. Dr. Johannes A. Lercher. With this renowned international catalysis award, the German Catalysis Society (GeCatS) honors his contributions for the development and understanding of solid catalysts in order to exploit new sources of raw materials. The expert committee particularly highlighted his impressive overall scientific work and the high industrial relevance of his research. [more...]

Supercapacitors challenge batteries

Graphene hybrids (left) made from metal organic frameworks (MOF) and graphenic acid make an
excellent positive electrode for supercapacitors, which thus achieve an energy density similar to that of
nickel-metal hydride batteries.
Image: J. Kolleboyina / IITJ

Powerful graphene hybrid material for highly efficient supercapacitors

[04.01.2021]A team working with Roland Fischer, Professor of Inorganic and Metal-Organic Chemistry at the Technical University Munich (TUM) has developed a highly efficient supercapacitor. The basis of the energy storage device is a novel, powerful and also sustainable graphene hybrid material that has comparable performance data to currently utilized batteries. [more...]