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Clusters of Excellence with Participation of the TUM School of Natural Sciences

NUCLEATE, BioSysteM, ORIGINS, MCQST, e-conversion, Bioscience, Chemistry, Physics |

NAT is involved in five Clusters of Excellence funded by the German Research Foundation.
Image: Adapted from Bettina V. Lotsch et al., published by American Chemical Society

The Technical University of Munich (TUM) has once again been awarded funding for seven Clusters of Excellence as part of Germany’s Excellence Strategy by the federal and state governments. The TUM School of Natural Sciences (NAT) plays a leading role in five of these high-profile research initiatives, underlining the School’s prominent position in the natural sciences.

 

Continued Clusters of Excellence

e-conversion – Fundamental Principles of Energy Conversion

The ongoing e-conversion cluster explores the fundamental processes involved in the conversion of renewable energy, such as in photovoltaics, photocatalysis, and batteries. Its aim is to minimize energy losses at material interfaces to increase the efficiency of energy conversion systems.

MCQST – Munich Center for Quantum Science and Technology

MCQST is dedicated to the study of complex quantum systems and lays the technological foundation for future quantum technologies. Fields of application range from quantum computers and quantum information systems to novel quantum materials. 

ORIGINS – From the Origin of the Universe to the Origin of Life

The ORIGINS cluster investigates the development of the universe from the Big Bang to the emergence of life. Researchers from astrophysics, biophysics, and particle physics collaborate to examine, for example, the connection between planet formation and the development of prebiotic molecules. 

 

New Cluster of Excellence

BioSysteM – Biosystems Design Munich (Starting January 2026)

The new Cluster of Excellence BioSysteM aims to design self-organizing molecular and cellular systems with programmable, life-like properties. Researchers are working on biomolecular machines, smart materials, and therapeutic approaches that could pave the way for novel medical applications.

 

New Cluster of Excellence with NAT Participation

NUCLEATE – Cluster for Nucleic Acid Research and Technologies (Starting January 2026)

NUCLEATE investigates the fundamental biological functions of RNA and DNA molecules. The Cluster’s focus is interdisciplinary approaches to precisely modulate nucleic acids to develop new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies in medicine. The TUM School of Natural Sciences is a partner in this new cluster.

 

With its involvement in these five Clusters of Excellence, the TUM School of Natural Sciences demonstrates its outstanding research achievements and its contribution to interdisciplinary scientific progress.

 

More information and links

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