“When you're on the field, you shut everything else out”
You are both on the sidelines at major soccer matches, and sometimes on the field as well. What does it feel like just before kickoff? Peter Ueblacker: At regular Bundesliga matches, a lot of things are routine. But when there’s a lot at stake in a game, I do sit down on the bench with a different feeling. You can sense the energy in the team. When the stadium is really loud, it’s a great feeling. Jochen Hahne: When you have to step in, you shut out all of this. Then it doesn’t matter what’s happening around you. You focus on that one task. How fit do you have to be to run halfway across the field and then examine a player? Ueblacker: So far, no one has tested us doctors for fitness. But my goal is always to get to the player before our physical therapists do (laughs). Once you’ve reached the player, you have to make quick decisions. How does that work? Hahne: The initial interaction with the player is crucial. It often gives us 80 percent of the information we need within the first one or two sentences to decide whether he has to stop playing or not. Ueblacker: You’re not making a full diagnosis out there. But there are examinations of joints, muscles and so on that can be done in that short amount of time. There are also criteria for whether a player can continue or not – for example, pinpointing where pressure causes pain and comparing this with other injuries where we know that continuing to play is not possible. And, of course, we exchange information with colleagues and physiotherapists. In the end, though, experience is what helps most. When I started out, I was sometimes a bit daunted by having to make a quick decision. But it’s unavoidable, and over the years, you learn.
Construction work without diesel emissions and vehicle noise
The goal of the research project is to develop an integrated planning and operations tool for complex emission-free construction sites. In addition, the participating stakeholders will be connected and work together on holistic solution concepts. The program, led by the Technical University of Munich (TUM), is divided into four areas: Precisely coordinated machine drive concepts, Development and deployment planning of intelligent, modular, and multifunctional battery systems, Software-supported planning and control of construction processes and energy flows, Optimal and flexible utilization of construction site grid connection capacities.
Proteins can be selectively controlled with radio waves
Until now, quantum sensing has primarily been known from solid-state materials such as diamonds with deliberately introduced tiny defects. The researchers are now transferring this principle to proteins - biological molecules that can be genetically produced and specifically tailored. In the future, this could allow quantum sensors to be built directly into cells or tissue. These protein-based sensors are potentially particularly well suited for biosensing - that is, for imaging living cells, tissues, or organs. In theory, they sit directly where measurement is needed, making them suitable for studies in organisms - unlike bulky solid-state sensors. Dominik Bucher, Professor of Quantum Sensing at the TUM School of Natural Sciences and last author of the study published in Nature Biotechnology, explains: "In contrast to established solid-state-based systems, protein-based approaches can not only serve as sensors, but also open up the prospective possibility of controlling biological processes with radio waves in a targeted manner - an extremely exciting prospect."
6G networks will improve network utilization
To date, computing power in hospitals is not always available exactly where it is needed. However, delays or interruptions in data transmission can have serious consequences for applications such as teleoperation.
TUM among the top in European start-up ranking
Start-ups are considered a key driver of Europe’s innovative strength. However, not all universities support entrepreneurship among their researchers and students to the same extent. To highlight this potential, a research team from the venture capital firm Redstone, the think tank AlpMomentum, TUM and the University of Trier examined where founders conducted their research or pursued their studies. The study examines start-ups founded in 2025 and includes 1,000 universities and 50 public research institutions in the European Economic Area, the United Kingdom and Switzerland. To identify the start-ups and their founders, the team primarily used LinkedIn profile data, the Dealroom database and data from the European Patent Office. Among very large universities, TUM ranks 4th in terms of start-ups founded by researchers (38 in 2025), trailing the University of Oxford, Imperial College London and the University of Cambridge. With 235 start-ups founded by current or former students, TUM ranks 8th, making it the only very large German university in Europe’s top 20. “Over the past few years, we have implemented numerous initiatives at TUM specifically designed to strengthen the entrepreneurial spirit in our university’s research and teaching,” says TUM President Prof. Thomas F. Hofmann. “For example, the TUM Student Clubs and the TUM Entrepreneurial Masterclass have significantly increased the number of start-ups founded by students. And since 2022, we have been supporting founders with the transparently structured TUM IP Fast Track, helping them accelerate the contract signing process to within twelve weeks.”
TUM launches Board Academy
The long-term strategic positioning of companies is becoming increasingly challenging, as rapid technological change, geopolitical uncertainties and their interplay require a high level of judgment regarding highly complex developments. This applies not only to executive boards but also to members of supervisory boards who want to provide responsible advice and guidance to companies. To this end, the TUM Institute for LifeLong Learning has launched a unique program for members of supervisory boards, executive board members and management directors. At the Board Academy, they can further their education on the latest technologies and their significance for the economy and society. “We provide a reality check and a glimpse into the future,” says Prof. Claudia Peus, Executive Vice President for Talent Management and Diversity at TUM and Director of the TUM Institute for LifeLong Learning. “How are technologies changing the competitive landscape? What does that mean for my company? What policy frameworks are needed? In our labs, participants can experience technology firsthand and simultaneously discuss its implications with executives using real-world case studies.”
Seven projects to advance medicine
The funding notifications were recently presented at the Bavarian State Ministry of Science and the Arts by Stefanie Jacobs, the ministry’s head of administration. “Innovations for Patients” is the central scientific funding instrument of the M1 Alliance. The funding line supports projects that consistently direct excellent biomedical research toward clinical application, improved diagnostics and new therapeutic approaches. The funded projects address diseases with a high burden of illness and major relevance for patients, including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative diseases and vision loss. At the same time, the program strengthens new cross-institutional collaborations in Munich. All funded projects bring together researchers from at least two of the partner organizations. Bavarian Science Minister Markus Blume said: “Seven million euros for seven strong research projects: With the ‘Innovations for Patients’ funding line of the M1 Munich Medicine Alliance, we are strengthening scientific excellence, pooling expertise and unlocking the shared potential of Munich’s leading medical institutions. What makes M1 special is the close alliance among the partners: Shared structures and networked research create synergies, accelerate innovation and bring cutting-edge medicine to people more quickly. The fact that the projects prevailed in a highly competitive, science-driven process underscores their outstanding quality. Congratulations to all selected project partners!” Prof. Thomas Gudermann, Chair of the Executive Board of the M1 Alliance, said: “With Innovations for Patients, we are bringing together the strengths of Munich medicine in a targeted way – for research that reaches patients faster.”
How robots are becoming surgical assistants
Five depth cameras mounted on the ceiling of the experimental operating theater at TUM University Hospital in Munich generate a three-dimensional digital image of the room 15 times per second —a digital twin of the surgical environment. At the operating table stands Prof. Dirk Wilhelm, Head of the Chair of Medical Robotics at TUM and a surgeon and senior physician at TUM University Hospital. He is wearing a suit fitted with motion markers on the joints and head, tracked by an infrared system with ten cameras. Microphones record and spatially locate conversations within the surgical team, while additional physiological data is collected to measure stress levels among staff. The aim of this sensor data and the digital twin is to improve surgical workflows, integrate robotic assistance systems into clinical workflows as efficiently and ergonomically as possible, and ultimately reduce the workload of medical staff. The sensor system developed by Prof. Wilhelm’s research group for minimally invasive interdisciplinary therapeutic intervention (MITI) is now being used for the first time in Germany to collect data from a real operating room environment. “In the next step, this data could help improve the use of robots in surgery,” says Prof. Wilhelm. All data collection in the operating room requires the consent of patients and all parties involved. Testing robotic systems in routine surgical procedures
Cancer prevention day at the TUM Campus at the Olympic Park
What can each of us do to lower our risk of cancer? This question is at the heart of the ”Wir bewegen Bayern“ day organized by BZKF. The main focus is on prevention. The main focus is prevention. According to current research, physical activity in particular is an important factor in helping prevent cancer and strengthen overall health. The event will also highlight how exercise therapy can support cancer patients during treatment. Workshops and talks will provide information on skin, breast, colorectal, and prostate cancer – from prevention and early detection to modern treatment options. The gyms and sports fields at the TUM Campus an the Olympic Park will also be open. They will offer a varied program of physical activities for children and adults to try.
TUM opens Center for Infection Prevention
“The ZIP brings together expertise from multiple disciplines, creating an environment where new prevention strategies can be developed in a targeted way and translated into practice as quickly as possible,” says Prof. Dietmar Zehn, Director of the ZIP and Professor of Animal Physiology and Immunology at TUM. The leadership team reflects this approach: alongside Dietmar Zehn, Prof. Percy Knolle (Molecular Immunology), Prof. Li Deng (Prevention of Microbial Infectious Diseases), Prof. Bernhard Küster (Proteomics and Bioanalytics), and Prof. Benjamin Schusser (Reproductive Biotechnology) represent a broad spectrum of expertise—ranging from microbiome research and microbiology to immunology, technology, and translational research. One example is the use of phages—viruses that exclusively infect bacteria and can be used therapeutically, especially when antibiotics no longer work. Researchers also see strong potential in personalized medicine. In the future, it may be possible to determine before treatment whether a patient carries a heightened risk of infection with multidrug-resistant organisms, allowing for more tailored therapies from the outset. Connecting Expertise for the Benefit of Humans and Animals Bavarian Minister-President Dr. Markus Söder says: “Bavaria is a global leader in science—and TUM one of its flagship institution. With the new research center dedicated to combating drug-resistant pathogens, we are expanding our interdisciplinary life sciences cluster. Across 2,700 square meters, innovative strategies for the prevention, control, and containment of pathogens in humans and livestock will be developed. Research in this area is a crucial field for the future: according to projections, by 2050 more people could die from drug-resistant pathogens than from cancer. That is why we are taking decisive action. The State of Bavaria is covering the lion’s share of the funding with 40 million euros for the research facility, with an additional 20 million euros coming from the federal government. Knowledge is the future: Only through technology and innovation will we secure our prosperity and provide young people with inspiration and opportunities. With the Bavarian High-Tech Agenda, we are investing a total of seven billion euros in research and science—from bio-life sciences to AI and aerospace to quantum computing.” Prof. Thomas F. Hofmann, President of TUM, says: “With the ZIP, we are taking another step forward in our TUM Convergence4Medicine strategy. Under one roof, we bring together our outstanding expertise in medicine with the life sciences, bioinformatics, and artificial intelligence. We link animal health with human health, while also strengthening the competitiveness of our agricultural sector and public health systems.” Prof. Martin Klingenspor, Dean of the TUM School of Life Sciences, says: “The ZIP is a striking example of the One Health strategy at the TUM School of Life Sciences. Solutions to global challenges can only emerge through interdisciplinary collaboration, as this is the only way to do justice to the complexity of living systems.”
Sea levels rising dramatically in some areas due to land subsidence
Global sea‑level rise is one of the greatest challenges of climate change: more than half a billion people live in low‑lying coastal zones. A research team from the German Geodetic Research Institute at TUM (DGFI‑TUM) and Tulane University in New Orleans shows in a study published in Nature Communications that people in densely populated coastal regions experience a relative sea-level rise of about 6 millimeters per year on average. This is roughly three times the coastline-weighted global mean of 2.1 millimeters per year, which describes the average relative rise measured worldwide along coastlines. Even when compared with the climate-driven absolute sea-level rise of around 3.15 millimeters per year, the value is still nearly twice as high. This amplified rise is caused by sinking land, a process known as subsidence.
Improving plastics recycling from end-of-life vehicles
When a vehicle is taken out of service, it is quickly reduced to its basic components: batteries, wheels, catalytic converters, and airbags are removed, and fluids are drained. What remains is sent to a shredder. The result is a heterogeneous mix of metals, textiles, plastics, foams, and composite materials. Extracting recyclable plastics from this mixture is complex, but it is becoming increasingly important for automakers and suppliers, as the EU is currently planning a new regulation on the treatment of end-of-life vehicles. Once the regulation comes into effect, the share of recycled plastics used in new vehicles that comes from post-consumer recycling is to be gradually increased to 25 percent. A portion of this recycled content must come from “closed‑loop recycling,” meaning recycling plastics from end‑of‑life vehicles back into new vehicles. According to the EU proposal, this share should account for at least 20 percent of the required recycled content. “At first glance, that may not sound like much, but around 200 kilograms of plastic will be generated per end‑of‑life vehicle in the future,” says Magnus Fröhling, Professor of Circular Economy and Sustainability Assessment at TUM Campus Straubing. “In addition, plastics recycling has played only a minor role in the automotive industry so far, meaning we are still at a very early stage in this regard.”
TUM President Hofmann to Chair the Board of Trustees
The Deutsches Museum is the world's largest and most significant museum of science and technology. Founded in 1903 by science and technology pioneer Oskar von Miller, it sees itself as a place where science and technology can be experienced in an entertaining way. It collects and preserves historically significant original masterworks of technology and science on behalf of the nation, and researches social change. Last year alone, the Deutsches Museum welcomed nearly 1.7 million visitors, inspiring them to explore science and try out technology hands-on. The Board of Trustees advises the museum, participates in its strategic development, and serves as a supervisory body. Its up to 400 members serve on a voluntary basis - among them, for example, 13 Nobel laureates and, by virtue of their office, all Minister-Presidents of the German federal states. Every four years, the Board of Trustees of the Deutsches Museum elects its new leadership.
Students Give TUM Outstanding Ratings
The Center for Higher Education Development (CHE) compares individual fields of study at German-speaking universities, this time in the field of business and economics. The Ranking is primarily intended to help prospective students find their way. At its core is the input of approximately 35,000 surveyed students. Universities are rated across numerous categories on a scale of one to five stars. In Business Administration, TUM receives at least four stars in every category. Students award four and a half stars for the “overall study experience.” They give equally high top ratings for the range of courses offered and digital teaching elements, while faculty support and academic organization are also rated very highly. The Business Administration program at TUM Campus Heilbronn is listed separately in the CHE ranking. Here, too, students award excellent marks. TUM receives the highest number of stars for the facilities of the modern campus. Students in Business Informatics rate the “overall study experience” four stars. They are also very satisfied with digital teaching elements, academic organization, and facilities.
Reading Genetic Activity from Living Cells without Destroying Them
Normally, cells must be lysed for a so-called transcriptome analysis - which reveals which genes are currently being expressed - making repeated measurements on the same cells impossible. The research team led by Gil Westmeyer, Professor of Neurobiological Engineering at TUM, uses virus-like particles for their new process, called NTVE (Non-destructive Transcriptomics via Vesicular Export). These particles shuttle messenger RNA - the active gene products - out of living cells. The RNA is then extracted from the bubbles outside the cell and analyzed. This allows researchers to determine which genes are currently active. The results obtained through the new process show excellent concordance with comparative measurements using the conventional standard method - without the critical drawback of permanently destroying the cell being studied. The new method therefore allows for repeated sampling over several days, for example to closely monitor the differentiation of stem cells into cardiomyocytes or germ layers. It also works in neurons and mixed cell populations, enabling analysis of cell-to-cell communication.
“A place that inspires”
Trogerstraße in Munich-Haidhausen is named after an ivory carver: in the mid‑18th century, Simon Troger created sculptures for the Bavarian electoral princes that captivated his contemporaries and continue to fascinate to this day. The late‑classical building at Trogerstraße 12, now reopened, is anything but an ivory tower. From today, it serves as a StudiTUM House at TUM University Hospital and is open to all TUM students.
TUM team wins global competition
Droughts in some regions, floods in others, the threat of food shortages and the increasing frequency of extreme heatwaves: The challenges posed by climate change are enormous. They can only be overcome with new technologies, a clear focus on people's needs and a deep understanding of the different conditions in the various regions of the world. The aim of the Global Sustainability Challenge is therefore to support young, talented people around the world in developing their own ideas for sustainable solutions. At the same time, the competition provides them with the entrepreneurial foundations they need to put their ideas into practice and develop them further. The challenge was launched by the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability. In addition to TUM, partners include Imperial College London, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, IIT Bombay and Zhejiang University, among others.
Shaping sustainability together
More than 7,000 interested people took part in panels and workshops or used the opportunity to exchange ideas at the stands and keynote speeches. In addition to the TUM community, more than 20 international partner institutions also contributed to making the global relevance of the topic visible.
How can honeybees and wild bees coexist in cities?
Doing good for bees – that is the idea behind urban beekeeping. However, the rapidly increasing number of urban beekeepers in many cities is alarming to urban beekeeping associations. In Berlin, it has more than tripled from 2005 to 2022, with similar increases in cities such as Zurich, Paris, and Toronto. Since the hives only house honeybees, their population in urban areas has increased just as rapidly – raising concerns about their coexistence with wild bees in urban spaces. For example, regarding potential spillover of diseases or competition for floral resources when they are insufficiently available. Both topics are currently being researched in several cities. Vulnerable wild bees Many people are not aware that there are different types of bees. “In contrast to honeybees, wild bees often specialize in certain plants and habitats,” says Monika Egerer, Professor of Urban Productive Ecosystems at TUM. “In addition, they usually live alone and not in large colonies. As a result, their populations recover much more slowly after disturbances such as diseases or too little resources.” New beehives bring entire colonies with high food requirements into an existing ecosystem, as the honeybees can collect large amounts of nectar and pollen in cities. This is particularly problematic for the wild bee populations as floral resources likely have not increased at the same pace as honeybee populations have or might even have decreased due to densification. The competition for resources is exacerbated when the hives are subjected to high temperatures such as on rooftops, as it is often the case in cities with limited space. The resulting heat stress raises the demand for floral resources to maintain colony temperature. If the surrounding areas offer less of these resources, the competition is even more aggravated. Promoting coexistence – the “Urban Bee Concept” The recent study addresses these concerns and proposes the “Urban Bee Concept” with measures to enable the coexistence of wild and honeybees in urban areas: Enhancing floral resources, paying attention to the nutrients they provide. Reducing hive density and prioritizing specific urban beekeeping actors. Promoting honeybee well-being and bee animal rights by banning hives in unsuitable locations. Estimating carrying capacities as accurately as possible. Controlling bee health and disease dynamics. Promote training, education, and codes of conduct via urban beekeeping associations. “It is crucial to work jointly here, with researchers, conservationists, governance and beekeepers” says Joan Casanelles Abella, who is part of the research team. Especially since the community of urban beekeepers is very heterogenous, ranging from hobbyists with few hives up to large companies with plenty of them, the stakeholders need to work together. The research team points out the great potential of the urban beekeeping associations in both the design and establishment of these measures. “Many people engage in urban beekeeping because they want to help bees,” says Monika Egerer. “With more knowledge and exchange, we can ensure that not only honeybees but also wild bees benefit.”
Rainforests can buffer rising CO2 in the short term — but this comes at a cost
The Amazon forest is one of the tipping elements in the global water and climate system, storing and absorbing huge amounts of CO2. Still, it is not clear to which extent trees can increase growth with more CO2 in the atmosphere. “Around 60 percent of the Amazon forest grows on old and highly weathered soils, which are already quite depleted in mineral nutrients, such as phosphorus,” says Lucia Fuchslueger, researcher at CeMESS, University of Vienna, and co-lead-author of the new study. “Low levels of phosphorus could make it difficult for the forest to grow even more and make use of the extra CO2 in the atmosphere”, she adds. However, Amazonian trees have developed highly efficient internal nutrient cycles that could allow them to gain access to even more nutrients. For example, they are withdrawing nutrients from their leaves before they drop them. Also, rapid organic matter decomposition on the ground provides additional nutrients, but it is not clear if this system can get any more efficient. So far, there has been no experimental evidence from in situ forest experiments.
The power of the mind
The arm on the computer screen looks like something out of a video game. The hand, joints, and arm bones are built from orange polygons. When the animation starts, the arm extends. After a few seconds, everything returns to its starting position. Michael Mehringer watches the screen intently. “Excellent! And again,” says Melissa Zavaglia. The animation starts again. Mehringer remains focused. The 26-year-old has been paralyzed from the neck down since he was in a serious motorcycle accident about ten years ago. He can only reproduce the animated arm’s movements mentally. “Still, after the sessions, I can always feel how much work I’ve done,” Mehringer says. “My body hasn’t been through movements like that in years.” The exercises with the animated arm are part of a research project aimed at providing new insights into how the brain works. Beyond that, the researchers want to enable him to control computers—and even a robotic arm—using the power of the mind.
TUM team won the “Best International Team Award”
Running fast, but without overheating the motors or wasting too much energy: that was the balance the three-person research team led by Prof. Gordon Cheng had to strike at the 2026 Beijing Half Marathon. Even during the test runs in the nights leading up to the competition, it became clear that a speed of two metres per second (7.2 km/h) would be best to avoid overworking the robust robot from China whilst still reaching the finish line safely. Unlike the eventual winner ‘Blitz’ and many more high-performance humanoid robots, for example, the robot of TUM is not cooled with water, but solely by the air flowing past it. “How to dissipate the heat – that is the key issue,” remarks TUM researcher Simon Armleder, who sees an advantage here in the custom-built Blitz. The TUM team adapted the code on-site
100 Years of Water Research at TUM
The Versuchsanstalt plays an important role not only in international research, but also for hydropower operators in Germany and abroad, and – more important than ever – for public water management authorities, for example in the areas of river engineering, flood protection, and dams. It has an outdoor test site with large flow rates and even enables full-scale experiments. In addition, it offers large testing halls, workshops, and its own teaching laboratory for TUM students in civil and environmental engineering.
“One of the best decisions I ever made as a student”
For Joachim Henkel, Europe Day on May 9 is a very special occasion. The incumbent of the Schöller Chair of Technology and Innovation Management explains, “It reminds us of everything the EU Member States have worked together to achieve: an age of peace and democracy, of free trade and cross-border exchange.” Yet Henkel is concerned that the natural Europe-wide collaboration in research and teaching may now be in jeopardy as public awareness of the importance of European values and institutions dwindles. He points out, “As a university, we enjoy enormous benefits from the advantages of European unity, from the Erasmus program to funding for research projects,” and urges, “We need to communicate this European mindset more effectively to our students.” With this in mind, in 2017 the TUM School of Management established the European Union Week. Every year around May 9, talks and discussions on EU-related topics are held in Munich and at a total of nine European partner universities.
Teaching with expertise and personality
“Good teaching is the heartbeat of science,” emphasized State Minister Markus Blume at the award ceremony in Augsburg. “Where teaching is delivered with commitment and passion, curiosity, courage, and vision emerge. Excellent teaching is the foundation of excellent research – one cannot thrive without the other.” Awarded annually by the Bavarian State Ministry of Science and the Arts, the prize is endowed with EUR 5,000 per recipient and recognizes lecturers who inspire students through didactic quality, an innovative spirit and personal dedication, supporting not only academic achievement but also personal development.
Research on the storage and disposal of radioactive waste
BGZ operates interim facilities in Germany for the storage of nuclear fuels and radioactive waste from the reprocessing of irradiated fuel elements, including the sites at Ahaus and Gorleben, as well as several interim storage facilities at former nuclear power plants. By the time the current storage licenses expire (between 2034 and 2047), no final repository for irradiated fuel elements and other heat-generating radioactive waste will be available and operational. BGZ therefore published a research program in 2022 to address questions relating to extended interim storage. The federally owned company has also been represented at the campus with its own research group since 2023. BGZ and TUM will now pool their resources, infrastructure, and expertise even more closely in a research cooperation and work on joint research projects. TUM has decades of expertise in the field of nuclear technology, including operating the FRM II research neutron source at the Garching site. Extensive radiochemical laboratories are also located there, which already hold the required licenses for handling nuclear fuels. In addition, TUM conducts research and teaching on topics such as nuclear and reactor engineering, reactor physics, nuclear chemistry, materials, simulation, and data analysis. The BGZ research group will work together with TUM scientists on various research tasks.
