Press releases
NewIn: Mariana Rufino
Looking into the future of livestock production
Mariana Rufino has already researched agricultural topics in various regions of the world. She now holds the Chair of Livestock Systems at TUM, where she focuses on alternative future perspectives for livestock farming systems. Her international experience helps her to take a comprehensive view of the complex issues in this field and to find creative solutions.
Expansion of the flagship partnership with Tsinghua University
TUM strengthens strategic scientific cooperation in China
The Technical University of Munich (TUM) is strengthening its cooperation with China in climate change, sustainability, and health research areas. During a trip to Beijing, Shenzhen, and Shanghai, TUM President Prof. Thomas F. Hofmann signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the flagship partner university Tsinghua. The TUM delegation also visited other universities, companies, and start-ups to expand its science-specific local expertise.
Genetic mechanisms uncovered
Boron deficiency: oilseed rape reacts as with infection and pest infestation
Boron deficiency has a devastating effect on oilseed rape and related plants. However, little is known about the underlying genetic mechanisms. A study shows that the response to persistent or short-term acute boron deficiency is similar to that to pests and infections. The results lay the foundation for breeding plants that can better cope with boron deficiency and for avoiding related yield losses.
Pioneering approach to conflicting goals
Hybrid intelligence can reconcile biodiversity and agriculture
Preserving biodiversity without reducing agricultural productivity: So far, these two goals could not be reconciled because the socio-ecological system of agriculture is highly complex, and the interactions between humans and the environment are difficult to capture using conventional methods. Thanks to new technology, a research team at the Technical University of Munich and the University of Hohenheim show a promising way to achieve both goals at the same time. The members of the team focus on further developing artificial intelligence in combination with collective human judgement: the use of hybrid intelligence.
Podcast „We are TUM“
How we do research with the society
Involving the public increases the relevance of research in a variety of ways. We present three projects that thrive on this exchange: The Cluster of Excellence MCube deals with the effects of urban mobility on public space. Our guests are spokesperson Prof. Sebastian Pfotenhauer and Marco Kellhammer, head of the sub-project "Car-reduced quarters for a more livable city (AQT)". Other projects: Student Hannah Tilsch has developed a mechanism for dealing with hate speech on social media, Franziska Bauer and Immanuel Wolfschläger from the Chair of Aquatic Systems Biology are using an app in their research on blue-green algae.
EU Action Week at the TUM Campus Straubing
A big celebration for the bioeconomy
Sustainability and climate protection are among the most significant challenges of the 21st century. A sustainable Europe worth living in requires innovation and efficient use of biological resources. The European Commission wants to engage young people, particularly as drivers of this sustainable change. To this end, a bio-economy festival is being held next week. The Straubing Campus for Biotechnology and Sustainability at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) is one of four regions in Germany to have successfully applied to take part in this so-called Bioeconomy Changemakers Festival as one of four regions in Germany.
Cover story: Circular economy
New issue of the "Faszination Forschung" magazine
Circular strategies are intended to create sustainable material and product cycles. Multidisciplinary research groups are developing solutions for the automotive industry. Also in this issue: How close is the point of no return? Climatic changes often build up continuously for years, leading to a tipping point that may be irreversible. And: AI systems in medicine must be particularly trustworthy - find out how data can be reliably protected.
Scientific study on river habitats at the TUM
Modern hydropower plants also cause massive damage to ecology
Even modern and supposedly gentler hydropower plants cause considerable damage to river ecosystems. This is shown by a study by Prof. Jürgen Geist from the Chair of Aquatic Systems Biology at the TUM School of Life Sciences published in the "Journal of Applied Ecology". Geist and his team investigated the changes in the complex biocoenoses in rivers at five locations in Bavaria before and after the installation of hydropower plants. They looked not only at fish but also at microorganisms, aquatic plants, and algae growth.
HopfON founding team
Hops as a circular building material
The construction industry consumes enormous resources and is responsible for a large proportion of global CO2 emissions. The team of HopfON wants to address this situation. Their vision: to produce recyclable, climate-friendly building materials using agricultural waste and resources.
Sustainability competition for young researchers
Application for EuroTech Future Award launched
Young researchers from all six EuroTech partner universities can apply again for the "EuroTech Future Award" sustainability prize. The call for applications is aimed at scientists who completed their doctorate at most five years ago. Their research must address one or more UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).