Using AI to respond more quickly to traffic hazards
As the BMW test vehicle approaches the junction, the artificial intelligence has already gathered information from all relevant sensors in the vicinity. These include infrastructure sensors mounted on the sign gantries at the junction, as well as cameras, radar and a lidar unit on the roof of the test vehicle. The in-car display shows all road users approaching the junction from the right, left, front and rear, with a positional accuracy of up to ten centimeters. The AI continuously predicts where the cars, bicycles and pedestrians are likely to move next. The advantage of a digital, real-time representation of traffic is clear: “Drivers can now see into areas that would otherwise be obscured, allowing them to react more quickly to potential hazards or be warned of them,” explains Professor Alois Knoll, Head of the Chair of Robotics, Artificial Intelligence and Real-Time Systems at TUM. Modern vehicles can already handle highly complex situations with ease. However, there are limits – for example, when children run out onto the road from behind a parked car or cyclists come around a bend. Or when an accident occurs on the motorway. “Our collaboration with TUM is a good example of how research and industry can benefit from each other and jointly explore technological potential,” says Ralph Rasshofer, Cluster Product Owner in the Automated Driving division at the BMW Group. AI consolidates available sensor data A highly capable artificial intelligence makes it possible to create a real-time representation of traffic that goes well beyond what vehicle sensors can detect. It evaluates all available sensor data from vehicles, sign gantries and traffic lights, and fuses it based, among other things, on current environmental conditions and database information. It then decides whether the respective measurement data should be incorporated into the continually updated ‘digital twin’ of the traffic situation. “If a sensor is obscured, dirty, out of calibration or otherwise impaired, it is not taken into account in the overall system,” explains Prof. Knoll. In addition to the enormous volume of data that must be communicated and processed simultaneously, the challenge lies in bringing together the various perspectives. The sensors observe traffic from different angles, measure at different sampling rates, and the vehicle sensors are moving at different speeds. “Nevertheless, by constantly predicting movements, it is possible to combine all the sensor data and integrate it into an ‘overall model’ that is updated every 100 milliseconds,” explains TUM researcher Kuo-Yi Chao. Construction sites as an application scenario This technology offers particular potential for future applications at construction sites. Vehicles often have accurate maps on board, but these are not always up to date. Traffic routing frequently changes at road construction sites. Here, for example, a camera mounted on a traffic light or a pole can help. It provides a new perspective on the construction site and makes that information available to the vehicle via the digital twin. The researchers have already filed patents for the re-mapping of construction sites and a new approach to data fusion in distributed systems.
“We need to redefine our conservation goals”
The fact that ecosystems change is nothing new. What is new, however, is the speed and scale at which new species communities are emerging as a result of climate change. Processes that once unfolded over centuries or even millennia are now being observed within just a few decades. “Even if temperatures were to stabilize in the near future, nature would continue responding to changes that have already occurred for a very long time,” says Prof. Tina Heger, an expert in Theory of Ecology and Invasion Biology at TUM. Together with colleagues, she recently published a review article in “Nature Climate Change” examining how climate change affects biodiversity. According to the authors, ecological novelty—the emergence of new species communities with no historical precedent—is becoming a defining feature of a rapidly changing world. This, Heger says, also affects how we think about and practice ecological restoration and conservation. “We need to redefine our conservation goals. If we continue to focus on historical conditions, we risk missing opportunities to adapt to climate change and support biodiversity.”
Protecting autonomous vehicles against cyberattacks
Cars are equipped with an increasing number of autonomous functions. At the same time, test operations for robotaxis are planned in Munich’s city traffic. These vehicles navigate their surroundings using optical sensors. Cameras detect traffic signs, road markings, and other road users; LiDAR systems measure distances and use this data to create a three-dimensional image of the surroundings. If these perception systems are manipulated, it can have safety-critical consequences.
RobCo is TUM’s 24th unicorn
According to the company, its valuation has more than doubled since the start of the year and has now exceeded the billion mark for the first time. The company was founded in 2020 by Paul Maroldt, Constantin Dresel and the current CEO, Roman Hölzl. TUM president Prof. Thomas F. Hofmann: “Congratulations to co-founders Paul Maroldt, Roman Hölzl, and Constantin Dresel. Your alma mater TUM is proud of you! Robotics and AI are fields where innovation grows directly out of cutting-edge research, and TUM has plenty of it to offer. Once again, this shows what research-driven entrepreneurship can make possible.” Simplicity as a strategy RobCo’s business model is based on simplicity: many small and medium-sized enterprises do not use robots due to their complexity and cost, even though they are suffering from labour shortages and losing their competitive edge. RobCo has developed a robot system for these companies that is easy to install via ‘plug-and-play’ and intuitive to operate. No specialist knowledge is required to use the software either. As the robots have a modular design, they can be adapted for various applications. The start-up also offers the robots for hire. The technology is based on research carried out at the Chair of Robotics, Artificial Intelligence and Realtime Systems led by Prof. Alois Knoll. Intensive start-up support at TUM for RobCo The founders – supported by Prof. Matthias Althoff – took their first steps towards setting up their own start-up with the help of the exist research transfer programme. In 2019, they won second place at the TUM IDEAward. The idea at the time was to develop a modular system consisting of just a few components, from which a wide range of different robots could be easily assembled and reconfigured with minimal effort. In 2024, the TUM graduates, operating as RobCo, reached the final of the Presidential Entrepreneurship Award. The three founders also received support from, amongst others, the XPRENEURS Incubator and the Centre for Digital Technology and Management (CDTM).
TUM and Sartorius establish Cell Culture Biomanufacturing Lab
Located at the Munich Institute of Integrated Materials, Energy and Process Engineering (MEP) of the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and supported by Sartorius Stedim Biotech GmbH, the new laboratory provides researchers and students with access to state-of-the-art technologies for mammalian cell culture, bioprocess development, and biomanufacturing. As a core facility within MEP, it strengthens the research infrastructure and brings together research, teaching, and industrial collaboration under one roof.
Nobel Prize in physics for TUM Distinguished Affiliated Professor Francis Halzen
Though long since emeritus, Halzen continues to play an active role in neutrino research – including at the Technical University of Munich (TUM). As an external member of the ORIGINS Cluster of TUM and LMU, Francis Halzen conducts research with Prof. Elisa Resconi, TUM Professor of Experimental Physics with Cosmic Particles. Their work focuses on investigating the sources of cosmic neutrinos. Halzen has been a TUM Distinguished Affiliated Professor since 2012. With this honorary title, TUM honors internationally outstanding scientists who have been leaders in developing their field and collaborate with colleagues at TUM over the long term.
TUM opens new center for mini-organs
Organoids are three-dimensional structures that typically consist of multiple interacting cell types. At COS, they are grown from stem cells or human tissue. Because of their structure and cellular composition, organoids more closely mimic what actually occurs in the body than conventional cell cultures. At the same time, because they contain fewer cell types, organoid experiments can be controlled more easily than animal models. For these reasons, organoids are a rapidly growing area of research that is currently advancing at remarkable speed. An increasing number of organ functions can now be replicated with ever greater precision. According to Matthias Hebrok, Professor of Applied Stem Cell and Organoid Systems and Director of the COS, it is only a matter of time before researchers can create miniature organs that fully reproduce the properties of their biological counterparts. Such advances are not only relevant for basic research. Organoid-based therapies could, for example, replace impaired organ functions through cell-based treatments. To bring these therapies into clinical practice as quickly as possible, COS researchers in Garching work closely with colleagues at the TUM University Hospital.
A health app designed for teachers
The app marks the successful completion of “Strengthening Bavarian Teachers’ Health-Related Competencies” (BaLko), a three-year collaborative project conducted by AOK Bayern and the Technical University of Munich. The project sought to strengthen teachers’ health literacy and encourage health-promoting behaviors. In doing so, it aimed to improve not only teachers’ own health but also the health of the entire school community.
Prof. Pascal Berberat is the new Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs
Berberat studied medicine in Bern (Switzerland) and Los Angeles (USA) and completed his surgical training in Bern, Boston (USA) and Heidelberg. In 2007, he earned his habilitation (postdoctoral teaching qualification) in Heidelberg before moving to the surgery department at TUM University Hospital rechts der Isar as a senior physician. After completing a further degree in Medical Education (Heidelberg), he has headed the TUM Medical Education Center since 2010. In 2015, he accepted the appointment to the newly established Professorship of Medical Education, Curriculum Development and Educational Research. Since 2017, he has also served as Vice Dean Academic and Student Affairs of the TUM School of Medicine and Health and as spokesperson for all Deans of Studies on TUM’s Extended Executive Board.
How a Startup is making AI faster and more sustainable
Especially in research, which relies on powerful computational models, the costs and energy consumption of AI have risen sharply in recent years. The Pruna AI team is therefore developing AI models that require significantly fewer resources while maintaining high performance. In addition to research, typical use cases can be found in e-commerce, for example: A company wants to allow its customers to upload a photo to an app and virtually try on different items of clothing. For this “virtual try-on” to work in everyday life, the AI model must generate realistic images in fractions of a second - such as the same person wearing different T-shirts - while operating cost-effectively enough to allow the feature to be used millions of times.
Pigeon fathers take on more responsibility when times get tough
Together, pigeon parents flexibly divide labor to cooperatively keep the nest warm and protected almost continuously. Females perform most of the incubation before the eggs hatch, regardless of whether food is abundant or scarce, and limited only by their energy reserves. In the study, females spent 81 percent of their time on the nest when food was readily available, while males accounted for only 17 percent. Under reduced food availability, females had lower energy reserves and lowered their incubation effort to 75 percent. Males compensated by increasing their share to 22 percent. This kept overall nest attendance virtually unchanged regardless of food availability.
Munich Children's University returns to TUM
In the first KinderUni lecture of the winter semester 2026/27, Professor Isabel Welpe asks: “How Do New Ideas Come into the World?” (23 October). She explains how inventors, researchers, and start-ups work; how curiosity leads to discoveries; what role mistakes, luck, and chance play in the process; and why some ideas succeed while others do not. Children's lectures Whether in Munich or at the Garching Research Campus, TUM professors explain their research in an engaging and accessible way in the following lectures: “How Is Artificial Intelligence Changing the World of Images and Videos?” Professor Sandra Cortesi, Friday, 27 November 2026 “Plants as Role Models: Can Artificial Photosynthesis Help Save the Climate?” Professor Jennifer Strunk, Friday, 11 December 2026 “How Can I Stay Fit and Healthy?” Professor Orkan Okan, Friday, 15 January 2027 “What Happens When There's a Fire? How Does Fire Start, and How Can We Put It Out?” Professor Claudius Hammann, Friday, 5 February 2027 New: Sign Language Interpretation All 5 lectures will be interpreted into sign language. Field Trip to the Research Neutron Source “Visiting Nobby, the Neutron!” ,Friday, 26 February 2027, 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Visit the Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Research Neutron Source (FRM II) in Garching. There, you will also meet Nobby the Neutron. With his “X-ray vision,” he makes batteries transparent, examines ancient fossils, and helps doctors fight cancer through medical applications. Children's University Congress Even before the lecture series begins, children can get a taste of university life at the Children’s University Congress during the Open Day at the Garching Research Campus. Here, children present their own talks and posters for other children, showcasing the research projects they worked on during the summer holidays in the miniature city Mini-Munich.
TUM also ranks among the world’s top 25 in the THE rankings
By placing 25th in the World University Rankingpublished by the British magazine Times Higher Education, TUM has established itself among the world’s best universities. It has thus risen to the top 25 in the second internationally recognized ranking that evaluates universities as a whole. In the QS World University Rankings, which is also among the small number of such rankings, TUM had already reached the top group in 2025. In the THE rankings for individual disciplines, TUM ranks in the top 20 in computer science (15th), physical sciences (19th) and engineering (19th). The THE rankings take various factors into account: on the one hand, academics worldwide are asked about the reputation of universities in research and teaching. On the other hand, data such as the number of publications per researcher, citations per publication, the ratio of teaching staff to students, third-party funding raised from industry, the number of patents and the degree of internationalization are evaluated.
Digital government works – when people use it
Digital administration outperforms analog administration — at least from the perspective of those who use it. This is shown by the annual survey for the eGovernment MONITOR. 81 percent of people who handled their most recent matter entirely or partially online were satisfied with the outcome. For those who handled their matter entirely offline, the figure was 64 percent. Many even found the experience better than expected and would choose the digital option again next time. However, far too few people have had this experience: Half handled their most recent matter entirely offline. Only a small proportion deliberately chose not to use the digital option. Most assumed that a digital option wasn’t available, or simply couldn’t find it.
A bridge for start-ups between Munich and Singapore
The partnership is based on three pillars: reciprocal outposts, deepened investment relationships and joint talent programs. A key element is NUSX’s new Munich outpost at the Munich Urban Colab, a joint initiative of UnternehmerTUM and the City of Munich – from there, NUS ventures will gain access to industry partners, technical expertise and the ecosystem surrounding TUM. In return, UnternehmerTUM plans to establish its own presence in Singapore through TUM Venture Labs to provide Munich-based teams with direct access to the local innovation ecosystem. The partnership is complemented by closer collaboration in the area of venture capital as well as new hands-on programs through which selected NUS students will gain access to UnternehmerTUM initiatives such as Startup Launchpad, Digital Product School and the UnternehmerTUM Incubator. “With this partnership, we open a direct gateway between two of the world's most dynamic innovation ecosystems,” says Helmut Schönenberger, CEO of UnternehmerTUM and Vice President for Entrepreneurship at TUM. “Deep tech ventures need more than one home market to grow – they need access to research, capital and industry partners across continents. By connecting Munich and Singapore through reciprocal outposts, we give founders on both sides exactly that: a direct path from an idea to a global venture. This is a natural next step in our long-standing collaboration with NUS, and we look forward to building it together with NUSX.” “This collaboration with UnternehmerTUM builds on our longstanding ties with the Technical University of Munich as NUSX deepens its global venture-building network,” says Dr. Tan Sian Wee, NUS Senior Vice President (Innovation & Enterprise). “Through reciprocal outposts, deeper investment links, and new opportunities for our students and start-ups, we are bringing talent, research and capital closer together. This gives founders greater access to the partners, expertise and markets they need to validate, build and scale deep tech ventures from Singapore.”
Soft exosuit makes it easier to stand up
Getting up from a chair is an action that most of us don’t really think about. The movement is almost second nature. Our legs and hips work together in a precise sequence. If a robot-assisted suit is going to support part of this effort for a person, it has to respond intuitively and synchronously to the body's movements. “We use machine learning to provide the user with the necessary assistance at exactly the right moment,” says researcher Dr. Xiaohui Zhang from the Chair of Intelligent Bio-Robotic Systems of the TUM School of Computation, information and Technology. To build this recognition system and to train the algorithm, the researchers first collected movement data from a group of young, healthy individuals. As more usage data becomes available, the researchers can further refine the system. Robotic assistance comes naturally The robotic system can be put on and taken off like a suit in just a few minutes. It has two thigh straps, a waist belt, and artificial tendons connected to a small motor unit worn on the back, almost like a backpack. Two sensors on the thighs measure the kinematics of the legs. When the system recognizes that the wearer is standing up or walking, the motor pulls on the tendons and provides support at the hip. “The sensors detect the user's movement in real time and send this information to the controller, which then guides the motor to provide assistance to the user,” explains Zhang.
A new beginning for female founders
Programs, coaching, networks and capital – Munich already has a lot to offer to female start-up founders. Until now, however, there has often been a lack of connection between the offerings of the numerous institutions. The Women Entrepreneurs Alliance is now set to change that. Universities, research institutions, investors, start-up centers, funding organizations, companies and other partners have joined forces to make support for female founders more effective. What kind of support fits which need and at what stage of the founding process? The members of the WE Alliance aim to facilitate access to the ecosystem, connect the various offerings, refer female founders to the right resources and thus provide more targeted guidance throughout their entire start-up journey. An overview is available on the Gründerland Bayern website. Some of these programs are also open to male founders. The Women Entrepreneurs Alliance was founded by BayFor, BayStartUP, BioM, Businettes, gate Garching, GründerRegioM – Projekt guide, Hochsprung, Chamber of Commerce and Industry for Munich and Upper Bavaria, JUNE MINDS, City of Munich, LMU, MUNICH INNOVATION ECOSYSTEM, Munich Startup, net4tec, Technical University of Munich (TUM), UnternehmerTUM und WERK1. “There are still significantly fewer women than men in start-up teams. This is not only a social problem but also an economic one, as diverse teams are more successful,” says Prof. Gerhard Kramer, Executive Vice President for Research and Innovation at TUM. “That is why, with the founding of the WE Alliance, we want to make our support as effective as possible. The fact that so many institutions are joining forces sends a strong signal from Munich’s innovation ecosystem.”
Natural high-performance adhesive made from mistletoe berries
Mistletoe is best known from winter traditions as a symbol of luck and affection. For trees, however, the hemiparasitic plant can be a burden: it draws water and nutrients from its hosts. Now this plant could provide a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based industrial adhesives. Researchers led by Oliver Lieleg, Professor of Biopolymer Materials at TUM, have developed an adhesive based primarily on a natural sugar mixture from mistletoe berries. The formulation is supplemented with tannic acid and malic acid. The researchers were able to avoid petrochemical components and synthetic pretreatments of the starting materials. "Many bio-based adhesives are either not strong enough or require elaborate chemical processing," says Dr. Ufuk Gürer, first author of the study. "Our approach uses a natural raw material with exceptional adhesive properties and works with comparatively simple ingredients." The inspiration came from nature itself: mistletoe seeds use a sticky substance to attach to branches, allowing the plant to colonize new host trees.
Prof. Wolfgang A. Wall receives UNIPRENEURS Award
Wolfgang A. Wall is Professor of numerical mechanics at the TUM School of Engineering and Design. His research combines computational methods with applications in engineering and medicine. It spans the entire process, from new modeling approaches and powerful numerical methods to application-oriented simulations on high-performance computers. In addition to his scientific work and his commitment to academic teaching, Wall also promotes entrepreneurship in higher education and research in a variety of ways. He is a co-founder of AdCo Engineering GW and Ebenbuild GmbH. AdCo Engineering GW develops customized software and computer-aided simulations for complex technical problems, thereby translating scientific methods into industrial applications. Ebenbuild supports medical care through personalized digital lung models that facilitate the development of drugs and inhalation therapies as well as the optimization of patient ventilation strategies. With this award, UNIPRENEURS recognizes his contribution to translating scientific findings into technological innovations and practical products. In 2023, four TUM professors were also honored as “Unipreneurs”. The UNIPRENEURS Award is presented to professors who promote entrepreneurship at universities. For the 2026 award, 20 professors were selected from more than 800 nominations submitted by founders. The Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space and the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy jointly serve as patrons of UNIPRENEURS.
Open House at the Garching Research Campus
During the Open House, visitors will gain insights into key research areas at the Garching campus. A highlight of the program will be a lecture by Prof. Reinhard Genzel, winner of the 2020 Nobel Prize in Physics, on the question, “Do black holes really exist?” Insights into cutting-edge research: from neutrons to space The ASDEX large-scale nuclear fusion experiment at the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics (IPP) will open its doors. It is one of the world’s most important experimental facilities for the development of fusion reactors. Fusion energy is also the focus of Proxima Fusion, a spin-off of the IPP that is working on the world’s first commercial fusion power plant. Scientists at the Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Research Neutron Source (FRM II), on the other hand, are focused on nuclear fission. Interested visitors can already register now to tour one of the most powerful and state-of-the-art neutron sources. Several stations also offer insights into the field of quantum technology. At the Munich Quantum Valley (MQV), staff will demonstrate, among other things, the research they’re conducting at temperatures near absolute zero—around −273 °C. Visitors can learn how this relates to quantum computing right there at the booth. Get involved and try it out: ice-cold, extremely hot, and ancient It gets just as cold at the hands-on station run by KRP Mechatech GmbH. Here, our younger guests in particular can discover what happens to everyday objects when they’re submerged in liquid nitrogen. At temperatures around −200 °C, unexpected deformations occur. The live casting demonstrations at the Chair of Metal Forming and Foundry Engineering are extremely hot. Staff members will show how the molten metal is poured into molds and how sheet metal components are produced using a 350-metric-ton press. Children can even slip into the silver, space-like protective suits themselves. In addition, visitors can conduct their own research and tinker at many other hands-on stations. For example, the ix-Quadrat exhibition offers hands-on math. The KinderUni campus expedition also features puzzles, stamp collecting, and prizes. At the joint booth of Munich’s clusters of excellence, guests can experience cutting-edge research—from the quantum world to renewable energy to the origins of the universe—in a playful way. The Siemens Technology Center Garching invites visitors to explore digital twins through VR headsets. They’ll also see, using 3D-printed prototypes, how the development process works—from the initial idea to the finished component. Children can try their hand at programming for the first time and experiment with AI in a fun way at the SAP Labs Munich Campus. In addition, employees will demonstrate how a cocoa bean becomes a chocolate bar on the supermarket shelf—and what role SAP plays in the process. In the lecture hall: lectures and Science Slams The experimental lectures in physics and chemistry promise excitement and entertainment. You can also get caught up in the excitement of the Science Slams—three times during the Open House, young researchers will present their fields of research in short, entertaining talks. A jury from the audience will select the winners. Date: October 3, 2026, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Venue: Garching Research Campus Directions to the Garching-Forschungszentrum subway station We ask visitors to use public transportation: There is only a limited number of parking spaces available on campus. Website with program: https://forschungscampus-garching.de/
Shanghai Subject Rankings: TUM tops Germany 22 times
In the Shanghai Rankings, TUM is among the best 50 universities in the following subjects: Agricultural Sciences: 7 (1st in Germany) Medical Technology: 14 (1st in Germany) Remote Sensing: 18 (1st in Germany) Robotic Science & Engineering: 19 (1st in Germany) Ecology: 32 (2nd in Germany) Biotechnology: 36 (1st in Germany) Aerospace Engineering: 38 (1st in Germany) Transportation Sciences & Technology: 38 (1st in Germany) TUM also ranks first in Germany in further subjects. (Since the ranking does not list individual positions below 51, TUM shares the top spot with other universities in some cases.) Automation & Control Chemistry (shared top spot) Computer Science & Engineering Electrical & Electronic Engineering (shared top spot) Artificial Intelligence (shared top spot) Management Library & Information Science (shared top spot) Biomedical Engineering Geography (shared top spot) Nanoscience & Nanotechnology (shared top spot) Instruments Science & Technology Food Science & Technology (shared top spot) Materials Science & Engineering (shared top spot) Environmental Science & Engineering (shared top spot) Business Administration (shared top spot) Developed at the Shanghai Jiao Tong University, key criteria for the Global Ranking of Academic Subjects are the number and citation rates of papers published, especially in leading journals in the respective fields. It also assesses the degree of international cooperation in the related research. In some areas, the number of major prizes awarded to scientists is also taken into account. These indicators are weighted according to the prevailing culture in the various subject areas.
“Most people do not need dietary supplements”
Which claims about dietary supplements do you keep seeing on social media even though the scientific evidence says otherwise? The pattern is always the same: all kinds of dietary supplements are enthusiastically recommended even though there is no scientific evidence supporting the claimed benefits in most cases. For example, large-scale studies have shown that antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta-carotene provide no benefit for heart health. In some cases, recommendations circulating on social media can even pose serious risks. Omega-3 or fish oil supplements, for example, may increase the risk of atrial fibrillation, while excessive vitamin E intake can raise the risk of heart failure. Many people take vitamins and minerals. For which of these are the benefits scientifically well established? Vitamin supplements are among the best-studied dietary supplements. Most studies show no health benefits, and some even suggest potential harms, making supplementation unnecessary in many cases. One exception is vitamin B₁₂ supplementation for people following vegan or vegetarian diets when blood tests indicate low levels. For minerals and trace elements, the evidence is often quite limited. We also know from nationwide dietary surveys in Germany that true deficiencies in vitamins and minerals affect only a small number of people, for example in the case of iodine, vitamin B₁₂, vitamin D during the winter months, or polyunsaturated fatty acids. Most people can obtain adequate amounts of these nutrients through a varied and health-promoting diet, without the need for supplements. Artificial intelligence is opening a new chapter in social media misinformation. It is becoming increasingly difficult for users to tell whether posts, images, videos, or audio recordings were created with AI and whether the people shown are even real. Is the risk of AI-generated nutrition advice being underestimated? These posts may look increasingly realistic, but they are certainly not a reliable source of guidance when it comes to dietary supplements. Millions of people around the world use AI, often without understanding how it works or what risks it entails. It is now widely recognized that AI systems can generate incorrect facts, references, or studies. Social media users should keep this in mind. For that reason, I would always recommend consulting qualified experts as well. What questions should people ask themselves before buying a dietary supplement recommended by an influencer? The first question should be: Could I actually be deficient in this nutrient? Genuine nutrient deficiencies affect only a small proportion of people in Germany and often only under specific circumstances. It is also important to consider whether someone belongs to a vulnerable group, for example because they have pre-existing medical conditions, are pregnant, or are of advanced age. In any case, people should ask whether independent scientific assessments of the ingredient are available and where they can be found. Anyone who is uncertain can seek information from the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), the Nutrition Radar, a platform for science-based nutrition communication supported by EKFZ, or the portal Klartext Nahrungsergänzung by the German Verbraucherzentrale. Qualified nutrition professionals can also provide individualized advice through nutrition counseling services. Where do you see gaps in the regulation of health claims on social media? On social media, misleading claims are often spread to persuade followers to buy these products. These posts are simply advertisements, usually from sponsored influencers. They make unproven claims and fail to disclose the risks. In Germany, registering a dietary supplement with the Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety is sufficient to place it on the market. The products themselves are not evaluated before approval. In my view, there should be a simple and rapid pre-market review process to determine whether products comply with food law requirements and whether manufacturers’ and distributors’ advertising claims are justified. In addition, social media influencers are legally required to disclose sponsorship arrangements, but violations are rarely prosecuted. Which claim about dietary supplements do you wish people would stop repeating? That is a difficult question because the list is rather long. What frustrates me most are the claims made for many plant extracts, such as ashwagandha products or high-dose beta-carotene supplements, whose benefits have not been proven and which can, in some cases, cause significant harm. But let us look at it from a more positive perspective. At the EKFZ for Nutritional Medicine, we would much rather see people sharing the message that a natural, varied diet is far more effective than isolated supplements. Nutritional medicine today fully recognizes that a Mediterranean diet can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by around 30 percent, an effect that dietary supplements could never achieve. More generally, our diets have never been as nutritionally adequate as they are today, which means that most people simply do not need dietary supplements.
Center for Digital Medicine and Health expands
The ZDMG is being built as the second construction phase and as a direct extension of the Center for Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroscience. In the future, digital solutions for medicine and health will be developed here and translated into clinical practice. The focus is on combining basic AI research with concrete medical applications—for the benefit of patients. At the topping-out ceremony, Minister of Science Markus Blume said: “The medicine of the future will be more precise, more personalized, and more intelligent. With the Center for Digital Medicine and Health, we are creating the ideal conditions in Munich to bring together cutting-edge medical research and artificial intelligence — with a clear goal: to turn data into better diagnoses and research into better treatments for people. Precision instead of one-size-fits-all medicine — that’s what will matter in the future. With the ZDMG, we’re bringing the medicine of tomorrow directly to the patient’s bedside.” TUM President Prof. Thomas F. Hofmann said: “The ZDMG exemplifies TUM’s mission: We combine excellent research, technological innovation, and social responsibility. With this building, we are creating a modern research facility where, through even closer collaboration across disciplinary boundaries, human expertise in medicine is enhanced by data-driven technologies and trustworthy artificial intelligence to better understand diseases, detect them earlier, and treat them individually.” Prof. Daniel Rückert, Director of the Center for Digital Medicine and Health, said: “With the Center for Digital Medicine and Health, we are creating a place where researchers from computer science, mathematics, and medicine work side by side every day. This close interdisciplinary collaboration between TUM and TUM University Hospital is crucial for translating advances in artificial intelligence more quickly into concrete improvements for patients.”
Climate chambers at TUM campus Weihenstephan
There are 14 facilities worldwide comparable to the climate chambers on the Freising-Weihenstephan campus. Yet these are unique, says Bálint Jákli, scientific director of the climate chambers at TUMmesa, the Model EcoSystem Analyser at TUM. No other climate chambers are as flexible as these. Temperature, water, nutrients, and ozone and CO2 levels can be precisely controlled. This allows researchers not only to identify optimal growing conditions but also to simulate climate scenarios. Richard Peters, professor of tree growth and wood physiology at TUM, and Sebastian Eichelsbacher, a doctoral student at the Chair of Digital Agriculture, explain exactly how this is used in research. Link to the video on Bayerischer Rundfunk [available in German, only].
German Founders Award for TUM Spin-off DeepDrive
The range and cost of electric cars remain a major hurdle in the mobility transition. DeepDrive has therefore developed a new motor design featuring a dual rotor – a specific concept long considered unfeasible. This technology enables higher torque density and significant material savings. In this way, the start-up aims to make electric cars more efficient and cost-effective. Six of the seven founders studied mechanical engineering, electrical engineering or management & technology at TUM. They met on the TUfast Racing Team, where students design their own cars for the international Formula Student races. DeepDrive received support through several UnternehmerTUM programs. Back in June, DeepDrive was among the three finalists for the TUM Presidential Entrepreneurship Award, which honors particularly promising science-based spin-offs. The jury highlighted the technology’s potential to improve the range and cost-effectiveness of electric vehicles. With the German Founders Award, DeepDrive has now received another major distinction. The “Rising Star” category honors young companies that have already achieved significant market traction with innovative business ideas and demonstrate strong future growth potential. The award also highlights the strength of TUM’s innovation ecosystem, which produced 115 new companies last year.
Long-lost fish species rediscovered in another section of the Inn River
For Dr. Christoffer Nagel, a researcher at the Chair of Aquatic Systems Biology at TUM, the finding came as a surprise. He rediscovered the Danube gudgeon during field surveys in the River Inn: “Over the course of my research, I have seen hundreds of thousands of fish. Rediscovering such a rare species that was believed lost from the river is a truly special experience and something I never expected.” The Danube gudgeon (Romanogobio uranoscopus) is considered highly endangered and is particularly sensitive to declining water quality and changes to its natural habitat. Its presence is therefore considered an indicator of good ecological conditions in a river. Only a few years ago, the species was recorded in the Inn for the first time in more than a century downstream of the Ering-Frauenstein dam, located about 13 kilometers farther downstream. Together with the latest finding near Simbach, researchers see this as an indication that the species may have expanded its range within a larger section of the Inn.
PISA scores at a new low
The PISA study regularly assesses 15-year-olds’ ability to understand and solve real-life problems in reading, mathematics and science toward the end of their compulsory education. It thus demonstrates the extent to which young people are prepared for the demands of a knowledge-based society and can participate in social life on their own terms. The latest study, coordinated by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and led in Germany by the Centre for International Student Assessment (ZIB) at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), was conducted in 2025. Each PISA study takes a closer look at a specific subject area; this time, it is the natural sciences. Students achieved lower scores in science (486 points), reading (465 points) and mathematics (464 points) than in the previous PISA study in 2022. The results are thus worse across all areas than in the first PISA study 25 years ago. Following the “PISA shock” at that time, Germany had initially managed to improve and maintain a good level of performance. For about ten years now, however, performance has been steadily declining. “The current results show that the findings of the most recent studies were not a short-term phenomenon, but rather that we are seeing a clear downward trend,” says Prof. Samuel Greiff, an education researcher at TUM and head of the German component of the PISA study.
