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Plant Systems Biology (1) Plant Hormone Biology
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https://www.mls.ls.tum.de/en/plasysbio/home/
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TUM - Campus Weihenstephan
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Plant biology Biotechnology
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Molecular biology and physiology
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Plants progress through multiple developmental stages while facing constantly changing environmental conditions.
As sessile organisms, they must rapidly adapt to ensure survival. To understand these adaptive processes, we study the signaling pathways and transport mechanisms of the plant hormones auxin and gibberellin.
Our research focuses on auxin transport and its activation by AGC protein kinases, which regulate tropic growth responses such as phototropism and gravitropism, as well as on gibberellin-controlled GATA transcription factors.
Most of our fundamental studies are conducted in Arabidopsis thaliana.
The lab also hosts the Plant Transformation Unit at the TUM School of Life Sciences, employing CRISPR-based genome editing in oilseed rape and barley for targeted mutagenesis.
As members of the Elite Network “The Proteomes that Feed the World”, we use proteomics to investigate barley germination, a process regulated by gibberellin.
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Genome editing (CRISPR/Cas9)
Mutation analysis
PCR, DNA sequencing, cloning (restriction enzyme-based, Gateway, Golden Gate etc.)
Microscopy techniques (confocal microscopy, light microscopy, electron microscopy)
Biochemical techniques (protein purification, activity assays, Western blots, Immunoassays)
Genetic analysis (mutant analysis)
Plant physiology assays
Next generation sequencing
Proteomics
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Analysis of protein kinase function in auxin-dependent plant growth (PCR, DNA sequencing, cloning, genome editing, genetic and mutation analysis, microscopy techniques, biochemical techniques, e.g. protein purification, activity assays, Western blots, immunoassays, plant physiology)
Crop plant mutant analysis (PCR, DNA sequencing, cloning, genome editing, genetic and mutation analysis, plant physiology)
Proteomic analysis of crop plant germination (PCR, DNA sequencing, proteomics, plant physiology, activity assays)
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• BSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Research for BSc thesis (Bachelorarbeit)
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• MSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Supervised practical course (Übung; 3 weeks)
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• Research for MSc thesis (Masterarbeit)
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All research projects are supervised on an individual basis.
Student-supervisor pairings are made after personal contact (email) and based on availability.
Only the supervised practical course is offered for groups (Übung; 3 weeks); see [9408329550]
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Plant Systems Biology (2) Plant Cell Biology
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https://www.mls.ls.tum.de/plasysbio/arbeitsgruppe-dr-philipp-denninger/
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TUM - Campus Weihenstephan
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Plant biology
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Molecular biology and physiology
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Cell polarization and communication are crucial for every cell. We study how RhoGTPase signalling regulates these fundamental processes in plants, using Arabidopsis thaliana and Marchantia polymorpha as model systems.
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Mikroskopie: Live-cell imaging, fluorescence confocal microscopy, electron microscopy.
Molecular techniques: PCR, Cloning, DNA sequencing.
Plant engineering: Transformation techniques, genome editing (CRISPR-Cas), PCR, genotyping.
Biochemistry: Protein affinity purification, Western-Blot, Microscale thermophoresis (MST), enzyme activity assays.
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Possible topics focus on regulating cell polarity and growth, as well as tissue organization by RhoGTPase signalling in plant cell division and tip growth.
All topics can include techniques for live-cell confocal microscopy, image analysis using ImageJ, plant tissue culture and transformation, PCR, GoldenGate cloning, CRISPR-Cas, Protein purification, Western blot, Enzyme activity assays, and protein-protein interaction methods.
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• BSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Research for BSc thesis (Bachelorarbeit)
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• MSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Supervised practical course (Übung; 3 weeks)
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• Research for MSc thesis (Masterarbeit)
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All projects are supervised on an individual basis. Topic and supervisor selection are made after personal contact.
The supervised practical course (Übung 3 weeks) is offered for groups at predefined dates.
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Plant Developmental Biology
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https://mls.ls.tum.de/plantdev
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TUM - Campus Weihenstephan
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Plant biology
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Molecular biology and physiology Organismic biology Bioinformatics Agrobiology and -biotechnology Theoretical biology
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Our lab pursues to major research lines. In a first line we investigate receptor-based signaling at the plasma membrane-extracellular matrix boundary in the context of cell wall damage response.
In the second research line we follow an evo-devo approach by studying ovule shape using 3D digital ovules across different angiosperm species.
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Classical genetics, molecular genetics, Molecular cloning, PCR, Crispr/Cas9, GreenGate/GoldenGate, live confocal microscopy, Microspectrometry for in vivo protein-protein interactions (FRET-FLIM, fluorescence anisotropy), protein purification yeast two-hybrid assays, generation of 3D digital organs with single-cell resolution.
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Functional analysis of receptor kinase-mediated signaling (physiological and molecular analysis of mutant phenotypes, in vivo protein interactions using high-end microscopy (FRET-FLIM), subellular protein distribution using confocal microscopy, vitro protein interactions with purified recombinant proteins, PCR, cloning, qPCR, plant transformation, gene editing with Crispr/Cas9). Dissection, fixing, imaging, 3D cell segmentation, annotation of 3D digital ovules of different species.
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• BSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Research for BSc thesis (Bachelorarbeit)
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• MSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Research for MSc thesis (Masterarbeit)
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All research projects are supervised on an individual basis, and student-supervisor pairings are made after personal contact (email) and based on availability.
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Phytopathology
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https://www.mls.ls.tum.de/en/pp/home/
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TUM - Campus Weihenstephan
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Plant biology
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Molecular biology and physiology Bioinformatics Agrobiology and -biotechnology
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Molecular Phytopathology
Prof. Dr. Ralph Hückelhoven
Molecular and cell biological analysis of host plant-parasite interactions
Host Specificity in Cereal Powdery Mildew Pathosystems
Dr. Marion Müller
Identification and characterization of host specificity factors
Transcriptional programs in plant stress adaptation
Dr. Christina Steidele
Transcriptional programs and its drivers for adaptation to biotic and abiotic stress
Plant Cell Development and Pathogenesis
Dr. Sabine Brumm
Cellular reorganization of host cytoskeleton and endomembranes during defense and pathogen accomodation
Epidemiology and Integrated Plant Protection
Prof. Dr. Ralph Hückelhoven, Dr. Felix Hoheneder and Dr. Hans Hausladen (at PTC)
Analysis of pathogen biology on agricultural crop plants, development of strategies for integrated control measures
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Genomics and genetics, moleluar cloning techniques, protein biochemistry, transcriptomics, confocal laser scanning microscopy, protein-protein interaction studies, plant transformation, microbiology, whole genome sequencing
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e.g. Characterization of plant or pathogen mutants (natural or CRISPR) in plant-microbe interactions.
Studying immune responses of genetically diverse plants (crops or models).
Analysing large scale omics data for assocation with plant patho-phenotypes.
Studying protein-protein-interaction in pathogen attacked plant cells.
methods: infection assays, plant immune response assays, qPCR, Co-IP - western blotting, FRET-analysis, yeast 2 hybrid assays, transient and stable plant transformation, diverse cloning techniques, confocal laser scanning microscopy, reporter plants, image analysis, bioinformatics-e.g. co-expression networks or genome assamblies, pathogen isolate characterization, virulence and aggressiveness testing
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• Research for BSc thesis (Bachelorarbeit)
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• MSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Supervised practical course (Übung; 3 weeks)
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• Research for MSc thesis (Masterarbeit)
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Besides lectures, seminars, excrcises, and lab courses, we offer internships for MSc students (Biology, MBT, Agr. Biosciences, Agrarsystemwissenschaften). We offer Bsc and MSc theses topics, best upon personal request after internships or lab courses.
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Chemoinformatics and Protein Modeling
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https://www.mls.ls.tum.de/cpm/
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TUM - Campus Weihenstephan
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Animal biology Plant biology Microbiology Biotechnology
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Bioinformatics Theoretical biology
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Our research group investigates biomolecular interactions using computational tools, focusing on the complex food effector systems and their chemoreceptor-mediated interactions. Because of the challenges the food system currently faces, computational tools are essential for developing the next-generation methodology for food design. Using molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulations, pharmacophore modeling, QSAR, machine learning and virtual screening, our group develops predictive models to search and rationally design new ingredients for food reformulation, but also support the development of new therapeutic approaches, with the ultimate goal of improving health and quality of life.
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Chemoinformatics (data curation, chemical space analyses, machine learning), Protein Modeling (structure prediction, molecular docking, virtual screening), Molecular Dynamics simulations
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Ligand and protein design, structural comparison, protein conformational sampling
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• Research for BSc thesis (Bachelorarbeit)
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• MSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Research for MSc thesis (Masterarbeit)
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All research projects are supervised individually and allocated according to supervision capabilities.
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Plant Breeding
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https://www.mls.ls.tum.de/en/plantbreeding/home/
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TUM - Campus Weihenstephan
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Plant biology Biotechnology
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Molecular biology and physiology Bioinformatics Agrobiology and -biotechnology
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Plant breeding plays a central role in ensuring sustainable agriculture and food security under climate change. At our Chair, we study how genetic diversity influences important traits in crops such as yield, stress tolerance, and quality. Using modern tools like QTL mapping, genome-wide association studies, and molecular markers, we identify the genetic basis of these complex traits. We then validate candidate genes through biotechnology, biochemistry, and plant physiology to understand their function and translate this knowledge into improved breeding strategies.
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•Molecular genotyping (PCR, DNA sequencing, KASP markers), Plant physiological measurements (photosynthesis traits, water use efficiency), Biochemical assays (plant stress markers), Bioinformatics, Functional genomics (RNA-seq, proteomics), Quantitative genetics (QTL mapping, GWAS), Genomic prediction
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Practical projects at our Chair span two directions. In the bioinformatics and statistics area, students may work on QTL mapping or GWAS to identify genetic loci, test the accuracy of genomic prediction models, or analyse transcriptome datasets to discover candidate genes. In the molecular and plant physiology area, students may study photosynthesis and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters (e.g. Fv/Fm, NPQ), investigate water-use efficiency (including quantification of biochemical stress markers such as H₂O₂ or MDA), or evaluate growth and yield traits of maize mutants in greenhouse trials.
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• BSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Research for BSc thesis (Bachelorarbeit)
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• MSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Research for MSc thesis (Masterarbeit)
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All research projects are supervised on an individual basis, and student-supervisor pairings are made after personal contact (studaffairs.plantbreeding@ls.tum.de) and based on personal interests and availability.
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Food Process Engineering
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https://www.lse.ls.tum.de/fpe/startseite/
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TUM - Campus Weihenstephan
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Biotechnology Other
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Plant protein research
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Other
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process engineering
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The investigation of microstructures and the formation of structures in foods with the aim of producing a defined texture as well as to purify protein fractions from a complex mixture to the highest possible purity and yield by a combination of different membrane separation techniques are main research themes of our group.
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Pilot scale: filtration, separation, centrifugation, extrusion, heating, drying; but also typical analysis of food characteristics at the lab scale.
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Analysis and production of plant based fat replacers; recycling of sidestreams from food production; sustainable isolation of protein fractions from plants; extrusion of plant-based cheese.
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• BSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Research for BSc thesis (Bachelorarbeit)
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• MSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Supervised practical course (Übung; 3 weeks)
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• Research for MSc thesis (Masterarbeit)
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Internships and research thesis are individually supervised, please contact us and have a look on our website for topics.
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Crop Synthetic Biology
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https://bathelab.owlstown.net/
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TUM - Campus Weihenstephan
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Plant biology Biotechnology
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Molecular biology and physiology Agrobiology and -biotechnology
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Description of our major research themes [Research Focus Description]:
To meet future food demands, crops production must increase at least by 50% by 2050. Because classical breeding techniques will not suffice, new technology is required to meet this goal. We apply principles of metabolic engineering and synthetic biology to engineer plant proteins for crop improvement. Our focus is on alternative carbon fixation (increasing carbon uptake rate) and reducing respiration (decreasing carbon release rate). Our work horse is yeast in which we optimize crop proteins. Evolved sequences will be tested in diverse crops (tomato, maize, barley).
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Continuous directed evolution (OrthoRep), classical directed evolution, error-prone PCR, protein expression in yeast, complementation assay, growth assays, cloning (Golden Gate, classical restriction digest-ligation, Gibson assembly), CRISPR/Cas, PCR, DNA purification, homologue recombineering
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Yeast strain engineering, metabolic knockouts, plant protein expression in yeast, plant protein engineering, directed evolution
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• BSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Research for BSc thesis (Bachelorarbeit)
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• MSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Research for MSc thesis (Masterarbeit)
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Bachelor students are supervised by PhD students or technicians. Supervision of Master students by the group leader or PhD students (depending on background). Pairing is made after personal interview. Applications are expected by email with CV and a short motivation statement.
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Molecular Nutritional Medicine
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go to tum_verdauungskanal in Instagram to see our previous work
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TUM - Campus Weihenstephan
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Other
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Science Communication in Social Media
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Other
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Planning, generating and publishing posts for social media
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We operate tum_verdauungskanal on the social media platform instagram. The individual posts are generated by interdisciplinary teams of students (from different schools, study programs and semesters) that are supervised by one or two lecturers. This social media initiative is meant to privide trustworhty information about human nutrition and health to a young and broad audience. At present, this field is mostly occupied by creators that have no scientific background but financial interests. The tum_verdauungskanal wants to offer an alternative with high credibility.
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use of state-of-the-art software, planning tools, AI-tools
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How to start, maintain and increase the visibility of a social media channel.
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• Other:
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Elective course (Wahlfach, 5 ECTS) that is open for all study programs
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Meetings are planned every Thursday 5 pm in HS4 starting October 30. Register now at tum_online and you will find further information in the corresponding Moodle course. In Moodle, you are asked to upload a short application that allows us to select the candidates and to assign them to the different teams. The course language is German.
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Plant Proteins and Nutrition
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https://www.lse.ls.tum.de/en/ppn/startpage/
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TUM - Campus Weihenstephan
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Other
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Food science, plant proteins
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Other
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Analytical food chemistry, food processing
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Overcoming the future challenges of the food industry to supply a growing world population with sufficient high-quality food requires a rethink in the current production of food and the raw materials available for it. The holistic utilisation of plant-based raw materials, which includes the use of all side streams of food production, as well as alternatives to animal products, could be possible approaches here.
The research focus of the Plant Proteins and Nutrition working group is on the extraction and characterisation of functional ingredients from plant-based raw materials and their application in food.
The focus is currently on plant proteins, as plant proteins can be used as functional ingredients in a variety of foods and can represent an alternative (not a substitute) to animal proteins in food production.
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Analytical food chemistry (proximate composition, amino acid profiling, analysis of antinutritional compounds (partly via HPLC), enzyme activities, total phenolics and carotenoids via HPLC,...)
In-vitro protein digestibility (INFOGEST 2.0 static model)
Technofunctional characterization (solubility, emulsifying and foaming properties, water/oil binding, gelation, rheology, texture analysis,...)
Molecular protein characterization (SDS-Page, amino acid profile via HPLC,...)
Food processing techniques
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e.g. Extraction and characterization of plant proteins from various raw materials (legumes [faba bean, mungbean,..], oilseeds [sunflower, hemp,...]);
Investigation of the influence of botanical origin, cultivation conditions, and processing on techno-functional and nutritional properties;
Modification of plant proteins through thermal and non-thermal processes and assessment of their impact on functionality and health-related attributes;
For the practical work, a combination of the techniques listed above is applied, depending on the focus of the work.
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• BSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Research for BSc thesis (Bachelorarbeit)
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• MSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Research for MSc thesis (Masterarbeit)
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Supervision is tailored to each project, with students matched to supervisors according to their interests and the capacity of the research group.
Students may undertake B.Sc. and M.Sc. thesis projects after completing an internship in our group.
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Plant Insect Interactions
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https://www.lss.ls.tum.de/pii/home/
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TUM - Campus Weihenstephan
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Animal biology Plant biology Ecology
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Organismic biology Bioinformatics Agrobiology and -biotechnology Other
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Ecology
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Our group studies the ecology and chemistry of plant-insect interactions in both temperate and tropical regions, with particular focus on bees but all invertebrates are studied. Some projects investigate bee-plant interactions, others bee health and performance in different habitats and along biodiversity gradients and others effects of land use on invertebrate diversity. Our research combines ecological methods with classic behavioral and physiological studies and modern analytical chemistry. Beyond ecology, we also work with farmers, conservationists and policy advisors to better understand different stakeholders perspectives on bee conservation and how to support conservation programs.
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GCMS, HPLC
Stable isotopes
Behavioral conditioning
Field studies
Biostatistics
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Analysis of pollen chemistry, analysis of insect physiology, analysis of pollen and bee contamination (e.g., pesticide, plastic)
Metanalysis, review and data synthesis research
Network analysis (statistics with plant-insect data), stable isotope content for food web reconstruction.
Analysis of land use effects on biodiversity (biodiversity monitoring, e.g., in farms, forest and urban gardens)
Flower and pollen choice (field observations, laboratory conditioning), sensorial systems in solitary and social bees (study of learning pathways)
Farmers perceptions and knowledge (e.g., social survey)
Climate change effects on phenology, chemistry and diversity
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• BSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Research for BSc thesis (Bachelorarbeit)
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• MSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Supervised practical course (Übung; 3 weeks)
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• Research for MSc thesis (Masterarbeit)
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• Other:
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Mechanoreceptors
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https://www.leibniz-lsb.de/en/research/research-sections/section-ii
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TUM - Campus Weihenstephan
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Biotechnology Other
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Biophysics, Food Systems Biology, Flavor science
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Molecular biology and physiology Other
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Biophysics, Cellular biology
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The Leibniz Junior Research Group “Mechanoreceptors,” led by Dr. Melanie Köhler, investigates the molecular and biophysical mechanisms underlying the perception of mouthfeel. Our central research question is how mechanical stimuli, such as texture, viscosity, creaminess, or friction, are detected by mechanosensitive receptors in the oral mucosa and converted into neural signals. We aim to decode how these mechanical cues are integrated with chemical signals (e.g., from taste receptors) at the cellular membrane, shaping the multisensory experience of food.
Currently, our work addresses three core questions:
1. How do mechanosensitive receptors encode the physical properties of foods at the molecular level?
2. What role do these receptors play in negative sensory perceptions associated with sugar, fat, or protein alternatives?
3. Beyond mouthfeel: Can our novel biophysical methodology be applied to broader flavor research questions?
To answer these questions, we apply a multidisciplinary toolkit at the intersection of biophysics, sensory science, and food systems biology.
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Overall, the methodologies carried out by this research group are highly interdisciplinary; molecular, biophysical, and physiological disciplines are combined in order to achieve the overall aim of the research topics. A key technique is atomic force microscopy (AFM), which is used to study receptor activity, membrane mechanics, and interactions between oral cells and food-derived flavor modulators. This is complemented by confocal microscopy, nanodisc technology, receptor assays, and computational modeling. Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) is also used by this group to measure transcription levels of (mechano)receptor-associated genes. Lastly, to further bridge the gap between fundamental mechanical perception and human flavour perception, human sensory trials are employed, in which the intensity and profile of food compounds is assessed by a sensory panel.
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Recent projects include:
• Investigating how plant-based protein nanofibrils enhance creaminess by interacting with oral cells.
• Characterizing the biophysical basis of negative textures associated with fat and sugar replacers.
• Studying astringent mouthfeel via mechanosensation, currently through a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship project.
• Expanding our method to taste receptors, e.g., peptide binding to bitter GPCRs.
In which the following techniques would be taught (depending on the project):
• Atomic force microscopy (AFM)
• Fluorescence/Confocal microscopy
• Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR)
• Sensory trials
• Working with mammalian cell cultures
• Protein expression & purification
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• MSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Supervised practical course (Übung; 3 weeks)
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• Research for MSc thesis (Masterarbeit)
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This research group (RG) contributes to Food Systems Biology by linking molecular/cellular biophysics with sensory and nutritional sciences, forming the foundation of a systems-level approach to food perception. By investigating how structural and molecular properties of food components interact with biological systems, we aim to uncover how these interactions shape perception, signaling, and ultimately dietary behavior. The researchers are directly supervised by the group leader of the Mechanoreceptors RG, Dr. Melanie Köhler. This highly interdisciplinary and diverse RG also holds various international collaborations, both university- and industry-linked.
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Population Genetics
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https://www.lss.ls.tum.de/popgen
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TUM - Campus Weihenstephan
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Plant biology Ecology
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Bioinformatics Theoretical biology
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We are interested in understanding the evolutionary mechanisms underlying the adaptation of plant to their environment and of pathogens to their hosts (humans and crops). We build mathematical model of genome evolution, develop new statistical methods to draw inference of the neutral and selective mechanisms involved, and use bioinformatics to analyze genomic and transcriptomic data with these new methods.
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DNA sequencing, transcriptomics, bioinformatics, statistics
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Mathematical modelling of infectious disease epidemiology (mathematics, simulations in R), Analysis of pathogen adaptation (DNA sequencing, bioinformatics with python, statistics in R), Analysis of wild tomato adaptation to abiotic stress (DNA sequencing, plant crossing, plant physiology, transcriptomics, bioinformatics with python), Analysis of host and parasite genomes and coGWAs (DNA sequencing, bioinformatics with python, statistics in R)
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• BSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Research for BSc thesis (Bachelorarbeit)
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• MSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Research for MSc thesis (Masterarbeit)
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Research projects are supervised on an individual basis. Projects and theses are discussed after personal contact and based on availability.
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Cellular Agriculture (2) Precision Fermentation
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https://www.lse.ls.tum.de/cellag/forschung/precision-fermentation/
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TUM - Campus Weihenstephan
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Microbiology Biotechnology
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Molecular biology and physiology Agrobiology and -biotechnology
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We develop microbial systems for sustainable food production, with a strong focus on precision fermentation. Our research combines expertise in molecular process control and next-generation food proteins and fats.
On the process side, we design low-burden genetic circuits that enable microbes such as Bacillus subtilis to regulate protein expression autonomously, using tools like quorum sensing and RNA-based switches. This allows for scalable, energy-efficient production without costly chemical inducers.
On the product side, we engineer microbial strains to produce animal-free egg proteins and a variety of fats with tailored structural and functional properties. By integrating strain engineering, bioprocess optimization, and product characterization, we aim to create sustainable alternatives that match or exceed animal-derived ingredients.
Together, these two research themes drive cellular agriculture towards more controllable, predictable, and sustainable food systems.
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Genetic regulation tools: Various induction techniques (e.g., T7, RNA thermometers, quorum sensing–based autoinduction), modular expression cassettes.
Microbial systems: cloning, strain engineering in Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, various yeasts, and related hosts, optimization of protein folding and secretion pathways.
Protein work: Recombinant expression, chromatographic purification (IMAC, ion exchange), yields and analysis (e.g., SDS-PAGE, BCA Assay), functional and structural assays of proteins and fats.
Process technologies: Bioreactor cultivation (batch and fed-batch), feeding strategy design, designing temperature profiles, monitoring of OD, pH, dissolved oxygen, and off-gas (qO₂, qCO₂).
Integration methods: Coupling genetic control with bioprocess optimization, scalable production workflows, data-driven analysis of growth and expression dynamics.
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Cloning, strain establishment, recombinant protein expression, protein purification, characterization and functional analysis.
Bioreactor cultivation (batch and fed-batch), feeding strategy design, temperature profiling, cultivation analytics (OD, pH, dissolved oxygen, off-gas analysis of qO₂/qCO₂), model-based process prediction, evaluation of expression systems, investigation of induction mechanisms in molecular process control.
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• BSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Research for BSc thesis (Bachelorarbeit)
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• MSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Supervised practical course (Übung; 3 weeks)
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• Research for MSc thesis (Masterarbeit)
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We offer research internships and theses within our ongoing projects (see website). Example areas include:
Strain design and development: Cloning, strain establishment, recombinant protein expression, protein purification, characterization, and functional analysis.
Bioprocess technology: Bioreactor cultivation (batch and fed-batch), feeding strategy design, temperature profiling, cultivation analytics, model-based process prediction, evaluation of expression systems, investigation of induction mechanisms in molecular process control.
Literature research and data curation: Compilation of databases on promoters, strains, and products in the context of cellular agriculture.
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Biopharmaceutical Technology
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https://www.lse.ls.tum.de/en/bpt/home/
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TUM - Campus Weihenstephan
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Biotechnology Other
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Biopharmaceutics
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Molecular biology and physiology Other
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Biotechnology, Protein science
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Our group conducts research in the field of biopharmaceutical technology, with a particular focus on recombinant therapeutic proteins produced in mammalian cell cultures. By employing orthogonal analytical methods, the group provides mechanistic insights into novel proteins and bioprocesses, contributing to the development of new medicines.
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Cell culture (cultivation, transfection, live cell imaging), Biochemical and biophysical methods (protein purification, electrophoresis, fluorescence-based analysis, light scattering, analytical chromatography, activity assays), Molecular biology (PCR, sequencing, cloning)
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Cell culture (cultivation, transfection, live cell imaging), Biochemical and biophysical methods (protein purification, electrophoresis, fluorescence-based analysis, light scattering, analytical chromatography, activity assays), Molecular biology (PCR, sequencing, cloning)
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• BSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Research for BSc thesis (Bachelorarbeit)
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• MSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Research for MSc thesis (Masterarbeit)
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All projects are attached to a PhD student or a postdoc, who provides day-to-day supervision. The topics, capacity and timeframe are discussed in advance with the students. We are proud to have a very inclusive and supportive group that provides an excellent setting for motivated people to learn and grow.
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Food Biopolymer Systems
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https://www.mls.ls.tum.de/fbs/startseite/
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TUM - Campus Weihenstephan
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Other
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Other
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Our mission is to study the complex interplay between structure, functionality, immunological and chemosensory activity of food proteins and peptides. We combine high-end food analytical methods with the determination of the functionality and bioactivity of food proteins to improve food security, food safety and food quality.
Our research activities currently focus on cereal proteins, because cereal products are among the most important staple foods for the world population. We address three key questions:
1. Why does the prevalence of wheat-related disorders increase within the population?
2. How do genetic and environmental conditions affect the protein composition of food crops?
3. How do different factors from farm to fork influence food protein structure, functionality, immunological and chemosensory activity?
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Proteomics (untargeted & targeted mass spectrometry)
Chromatographic techniques (HPLC using different separation principles, e.g., reversed-phase and size exclusion)
Biochemical assays (protein extraction & purification, gel electrophoresis, ELISA, Western blot)
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Method development for targeted proteomics, e.g., with a focus on peptides known to cause allergies and/or celiac disease (proteomics, stable isotope dilution assay, method validation)
Untargeted proteomics insights into how different abiotic and biotic stress factors affect the protein composition of food crops (proteomics, data analysis using different proteomics software tools)
Protein digestibility (INFOGEST protocol, followed by peptide characterization using proteomics and biochemical assays)
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• Research for BSc thesis (Bachelorarbeit)
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• MSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Research for MSc thesis (Masterarbeit)
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All research projects are supervised on an individual basis by a PhD student and fit into the broader picture of our research. All pairings are made after initial contact with the PhD student and all MSc levels students are included into our weekly research group meetings to share and discuss recent findings.
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Clinical Nutritional Medicine
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https://www.mri.tum.de/de/klinische-ernaehrungsmedizin
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TUM - Klinikum rechts der Isar
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Other
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Clinical and applied nutrition
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Other
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clinical nutrition
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Our work is largely focused on the ways that diet impacts human health and outcomes across various life stages and health conditions. We study how food, nutrients and dietary patterns can be used as tools to prevent and manage diet-related diseases
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field-based data collection, data analysis with SPSS and R, questionnaires, anthropometric data collection,
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Currently offering a project for a bachelor or master's student.
The goal of this project is to evaluate the nutritional and ecological aspects of plant drinks and alternative infant formulas available in the German retail market as part of the EvaPlaM research project. Key data (ingredients, Big7 information, etc.) will be collected and statistically analyzed based on defined criteria. Health assessments will utilize the nutriRECIPE. Additionally, contributions will be made to the ecological evaluation of these products, determining their climate, water, land, and overall environmental footprints. The project will also provide a comprehensive overview of the nutritional and ecological effects of the examined products using the Planet-Health-Conformity-Index (PHC).
Collaboration:
This project will be conducted in collaboration with the Institut für Nachhaltige Land- und Ernährungswirtschaft (Institute for Sustainable Agriculture and Food Economics • INL e.V.).
Student Responsibilities:
The student will be responsible for collecting data on plant drinks available in the region, extracting relevant information, and performing statistical analyses.
Data Material:
Data will include photographs of various plant drinks available in local markets and online shops, which will be organized in data extraction spreadsheets. The data spreadsheets will be provided by the supervisor.
Prior Knowledge Required:
Familiarity with SPSS and/or R is preferred.
Language Requirements:
Written and spoken proficiency in both German and English is required.
Time Frame:
Starting October 2025 (start date flexible)
Supervisors and Department:
Prof. Dr. med. Hans Hauner & Dr. Dora Meyer
Else Kröner Zentrum für Ernährungsmedizin, Technical University of Munich
Contact Information:
Dr. Dora Meyer, MPH
Email: dora.meyer@tum.de
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• BSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Research for BSc thesis (Bachelorarbeit)
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• MSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Research for MSc thesis (Masterarbeit)
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Proteomics and Bioanalytics
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https://www.mls.ls.tum.de/proteomics/home/
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TUM - Campus Weihenstephan
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Other
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Proteomics & Bioanalytics, Cancer Research (Biomarker Discovery), Bioinformatics
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Bioinformatics Other
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Spectrometry (MS, HPLC/LC-MS/MS)
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Our research agenda is built upon three pillars.
1. Understanding proteomes: We study which genes exist as proteins, where they occur, in what quantities, how they are modified, interact, and function. This work produced the first comprehensive maps of the human, mouse, and Arabidopsis proteomes. A major focus is now on cancer patient proteomes/phosphoproteomes to identify cancer-driving pathways and integrate findings into Molecular Tumour Boards.
2. Molecular action of drugs: With nearly 20 years of chemical biology expertise, we investigate the molecular mechanisms of cancer drugs to enhance discovery and repurpose existing compounds. We have identified targets of kinase and HDAC inhibitors, mapped drug effects on phosphorylation-controlled signalling networks, and measured drug-induced proteome changes-ultimately aiming to guide optimal patient-specific therapy.
3. Developing methods and software: We build high-throughput proteomics workflows and advanced bioinformatics tools. Our flagship project is ProteomicsDB, which provides open access to data analytics for large-scale proteomics and transcriptomics projects.
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1. Mass Spectrometry: Most of our research is based on high-volume, high-resolution, high-accuracy quantitative bottom-up proteomics data generated by high-resolution LC–MS/MS. We have multiple high-end mass spectrometers (e.g. Astral, Eclipse/Lumos, Exploris 480) with DDA/DIA acquisition and quantitative strategies such as LFQ, SILAC, TMT, and iTRAQ.
2. Biochemistry: We have strong expertise in protein sample preparation and enrichment workflows, including SP3, FASP, affinity matrices, PTM enrichment, peptide labelling, and thermal profiling approaches (TPP, CETSA).
Chemical Biology:
We apply chemoproteomics to identify protein targets, profile drug interactions, and map signalling pathways using affinity pulldowns, kinobeads, UV crosslinking probes, and cleavable linker/click chemistry strategies.
Cell Biology:
We are experienced in cell culture and cellular assays, providing biological systems for functional proteomics and drug testing.
IT and Data Processing: We integrate advanced bioinformatics and AI approaches with high-performance computing to support large-scale proteomics studies.
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Practical work in the Kuster lab introduces students to key concepts and techniques at the intersection of biochemistry, proteomics, and chemical biology. The aim is to provide hands-on experience with workflows used to study proteins, their modifications and interactions.
1. Bottom-up proteomic workflows:
Protein preparation and enrichment using SP3 workflows or in-solution digestion. Approaches include affinity purification to isolate protein complexes and post-translational modification (PTM) enrichment, such as phospho-peptide, acetylated, and ubiquitin-modified peptide isolation, to investigate signalling processes at the molecular level.
2. Quantitative proteomics and labelling:
Application of multiplexed labelling strategies such as TMT and SILAC for comparative proteome analysis. Workflows include bottom-up proteomics and the use of DDA vs. DIA mass spectrometry, illustrating how proteome-wide quantification is performed.
3. Affinity profiling of inhibitors:
Chemistry-based strategies for studying protein-ligand interactions, including dose-resolved profiling of kinase and HDAC inhibitors. Techniques involve affinity pulldowns with immobilised small molecules, kinobeads for kinase target capture, and photoaffinity probes for covalent interaction mapping.
4. Cell biology applications:
Integration of cell culture experiments, such as drug treatments, viability assays, and live-cell imaging with the IncuCyte system.
5. Bioinformatics and data analysis:
Evaluation of large proteomic datasets, including raw data processing, statistical evaluation, and biological interpretation.
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• BSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Research for BSc thesis (Bachelorarbeit)
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• MSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Research for MSc thesis (Masterarbeit)
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All research projects are supervised one-on-one by our friendly and experienced PhD students or postdocs.
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Terrestrial Ecology
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https://www.lss.ls.tum.de/en/toek/home/
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TUM - Campus Weihenstephan
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Ecology
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Organismic biology
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We are interested in the mechanisms that structure ecological communities, in particular species interactions. In many projects, we investigate how human land affect ecological communities and the interactions between species. We study animal communities in the field and link it to human actions, in agriculture, forestry, and in the city. Our study organisms are insects, but we also have projects on birds and other organisms.
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Insect sampling in the field and identification
Field and greenhouse experiments with plants and insects
Passive acoustic monitoring of birds and identification with AI
Visual insect identification using AI
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Mapping birds in Munich using sound recorders (idenfication of birds using AI)
Samping urban insects (insect identification, metabarcoding)
Greenhouse experiment on the effects of plant chemotypes on insect herbivores
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• BSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Research for BSc thesis (Bachelorarbeit)
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• MSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Supervised practical course (Übung; 3 weeks)
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• Research for MSc thesis (Masterarbeit)
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Many projects involve field work and are carried out in summer. Please approach the latest at the end of Winter semester to arrange something for the summer semester. Most of the work takes place within the framework of current research projects, and there is the chance to become a coauthor in publications arising from the project.
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Agriculture Systems Engineering
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https://www.lse.ls.tum.de/ast/startseite/
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TUM - Campus Weihenstephan
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Other
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Agriculture Systems Engineering (Plant Production and Animal Husbandry)
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Other
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Systems Engineering
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Sensor Networks in Agriculture
Animal-Technology Interaction
Precision Farming in Grassland
Barn 4.0 (Integrated Dairy Farming)
Infield Logistics - Influence Factor Analysis on Field Operation Strategies
Electrification in Agriculture
Automation of Feeding Systems for Dairy Cattle
Modeling Agricultural Transport Logistics
Simulation of Agricultural Harvest Chains
AI-based Integrated Plant Protection
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various sensors and microcontrollers
agriculture machinery
3D printing
drones
and many more
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- H2 production on farms
- Energymanagement on farms
- Application comparison & technical analysis of SmartTraps
- Creation of precipitation maps and comparison with weather-based models and the Peronospora warning service
- Investigation of powdery mildew (Podosphaera macularis ssp. humuli)
- Investigation of powdery mildew and downy mildew in other crops
and many more
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• Research for BSc thesis (Bachelorarbeit)
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• MSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Research for MSc thesis (Masterarbeit)
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All research projects are supervised on an individual basis and includes the student in the ongoing projects.
Studnts are also very welcome to bring there own ideas for potential research topics.
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Plant Micronutrient Physiology
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https://www.mls.ls.tum.de/en/cropphys/home/
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TUM - Campus Weihenstephan
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Plant biology
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Molecular biology and physiology
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We are committed to uncovering mechanisms by which plants can increase the uptake of micronutrients from the soil and transfer them to edible tissues. In doing so, we can boost the nutritional quality of crop outputs, even under suboptimal climatic conditions. Our research is particularly focussed on how variation in the uptake selectivity of root cells affects iron, zinc and selenium accumulation in maize exposed to water limitation, using a combination of elemental quantification and spatial-distribution analysis, confocal microscopy, and transcriptomics.
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Plant elemental composition analysis (ionomics), PCR, qPCR (gene expression analysis), DNA sequencing, confocal microscopy, light microscopy.
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Crop plant mutant analysis (PCR, DNA sequencing, qPCR, elemental composition analysis, plant physiology); Screening plant populations for extreme phenotypes (plant physiology, elemental composition analysis, genome-wide association mapping); Assessment of transcriptional responses of genotypes of contrasting resilience to abiotic stresses (qPCR, plant physiology). Assessment of root cellular responses to abiotic stresses (tissue sectioning, staining, confocal microscopy, light microscopy).
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• Research for BSc thesis (Bachelorarbeit)
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• MSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Research for MSc thesis (Masterarbeit)
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Research projects are supervised on an individual basis, with student-supervisor pairings arranged after personal contact (via email) and based on availability.
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Biological Chemistry
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https://www.mls.ls.tum.de/bc/startseite/
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TUM - Campus Weihenstephan
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Biotechnology
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Molecular biology and physiology
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Our group is generally interested in the structure and function of proteins. We use protein engineering to develop various proteins (antibodies, anticalins, cytokines, enzymes etc.) for applications in medical therapy and diagnostics and as research tools. Recently, we have employed an expanded genetic code to design proteins that carry artificial amino acids with novel functionalities including light-responsive effects.
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Gene synthesis, recombinant gene cloning and site-directed as well as random mutagenesis; protein production in E. coli (cytoplasmic and periplasmic), in shake flasks and by using a bench top fermenter; protein purification using chromatographic techniques (including Strep-tag and His-tag affinity chromatography); SDS-PAGE, western blotting ELISA, enzyme assays; various biospectroscopic techniques (UV/VIS, fluorescence, circular dichroism, surface plasmon resonance) as well as X-ray crystallography.
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Antibody engineering, engineering of Anticalins for biomedical applications, application of PASylation technology to develop bioactive proteins with improved pharmacological behaviour in vivo, development of light-responsive proteins and of light-controlled affinity purification.
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• BSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Research for BSc thesis (Bachelorarbeit)
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• MSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Research for MSc thesis (Masterarbeit)
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All research projects are supervised on an individual
basis.
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Reproductive Biotechnology
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https://www.mls.ls.tum.de/en/btr/home/
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TUM - Campus Weihenstephan
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Animal biology Biotechnology
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Molecular biology and physiology Agrobiology and -biotechnology
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We are interested in the chicken immune system and want to understand the interaction between host and pathogen in more detail. Therefore, we generate different genetically modified chicken lines. In addition, we use and develop genetically modified pig models aimed at replicating human diseases for biomedical research.
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PCR, cloning, cell culture, bacterial and viral infections, FACS, cell sorting, western blot, histology, CRISPR/Cas9, 16S Sequencing, microbiome studies, organ culture
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Possible topics focus on the avian immune system, with particular emphasis on host-pathogen interactions and the early development of immunity (ELISA, FACS, Cloning, histology).
A possible topic of a Msc Thesis in pig-related work: Optimisation of staining techniques for 3D porcine colon organoid model. (cell culture, organ culture, histology)
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• BSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Research for BSc thesis (Bachelorarbeit)
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• MSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Research for MSc thesis (Masterarbeit)
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all research projects are supervised individually by a PostDoc or a PhD student. If students want to learn a specific technique, just let us know. We try to organise it.
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Metabolic Programming
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https://www.mls.ls.tum.de/metabolism/home/
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TUM - Campus Weihenstephan
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Animal biology Other
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Endocrinology
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Molecular biology and physiology
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Our research focuses on genomic mechanisms involved in metabolic physiology, with a special focus on nuclear hormone receptors and their co-regulators. Hot topics currently include nutritional genomic programming affecting aging and longevity, the interactions between diet and stress responses and receptor-driven modulation of metabolism.
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Cloning (PCR, Ligation, Agarose gel electrophoresis, mutagenesis, …), Gene-Knockout (siRNA, RNAi-feeding, CRISPR/Cas9)
Western Blot, Immunohistochemistry, Chromatin-Immunoprecipitation (ChIP)-PCR for Protein-DNA-Interactions,
qPCR, data analysis
animal and human cell culture, C. elegans culture, bacteria,
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Analysis of molecular interaction of NHRs (Nuclear hormone receptor) with their co-regulators.
Role of NHRs in protection against reactive oxygen species in the liver.
Role of NHRs in modulating longevity.
Molecular characterization of orphan NHR of C. elegans.
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• BSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Research for BSc thesis (Bachelorarbeit)
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• MSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Research for MSc thesis (Masterarbeit)
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Topic and supervisor selection are made after application selection at our central contact platform. All projects are supervised by PhD students or Postdocs on an individual basis. Some topics might be offered by our group colleagues at Helmholtz Center Munich.
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Computational Plant Biology
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https://www.mls.ls.tum.de/en/cpb
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TUM - Campus Weihenstephan
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Plant biology
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Bioinformatics
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Our group investigates genome function and evolution in crops through comparative genomics and pangenome analysis, integrated with transcriptomics, regulatory and network biology. We develop and apply HPC-scale bioinformatics pipelines to map structural and regulatory variation and to link multi-omics data with high-throughput phenotyping, uncovering mechanisms of adaptation across crops—for example, responses to drought.
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Comparative and pangenome analysis · Structural variation and CNV/PAV detection · Transcriptomics (short- and long-read RNA-seq) · Co-expression and regulatory network inference (WGCNA, GENIE3, DIABLO), Multi-omics data integration · High-throughput and field phenotyping · Bioinformatics pipeline development and HPC-based analysis.
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• Comparative Genomics in Cereals — comparative analyses across cereal genomes; subgenome-specific expression; TF binding site divergence; pangenome approaches to genic/structural/regulatory variation. 
• Plant–Microbe Interactions (TRR356) — identify interaction-specific genes; compare genes across symbiotic vs. pathogenic relationships to uncover compatibility/resistance mechanisms. 
• Transcriptome & Network Analyses — RNA-seq differential expression; co-expression network construction; comparative transcriptomics across species/genotypes/ploidy. 
• Gene Family Evolution & Functional Diversification — study expansion/contraction and structural diversification of trait-linked gene families (e.g., drought tolerance, nutrient use, cell wall). 
• Structural Variation & Trait Associations — detect/interpret SNPs and structural variants in (pan)genomes; use diversity panels, wild–domesticated comparisons, graph-genome approaches. 
• Phenotyping-linked Project (example: Oat Drought Response) — microscopy for stomatal density; image-based high-throughput phenotyping; correlate physiological traits with gene expression. 
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• BSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Research for BSc thesis (Bachelorarbeit)
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• MSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Research for MSc thesis (Masterarbeit)
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Supervision of practical work is provided on a 1:1 basis. Prior knowledge in coding, bioinformatics, and working with HPC systems is required. Interested students should contact us by email at least one semester in advance; projects can be offered depending on available capacity.
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Environmental Microbiology
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https://www.helmholtz-munich.de/en/research/environmental-health-center/comi/
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TUM - Campus Weihenstephan
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Microbiology
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Molecular biology and physiology Organismic biology Bioinformatics
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We are living in a microbial world … It is our aim to use the enormous functional power of microbiomes to improve planetary health.
The human microbiome is a key component for our health. It is strongly influenced by environmental microbiota, which interact with the microbiome of barrier organs like skin or respiratory system. As a consequence, the reduced microbial diversity in the environment, resulting from climate- and global change, strongly impacts human – environment interactions, resulting in an increase in environmental diseases and infections. According to the planetary health concept the prevention of such diseases requires strategies which increase biodiversity in the environment.
We identify key microbiota from the environment, which trigger our health, develop strategies to promote the abundance of those microbiota in urban and indoor environments and analyze consequences for our health.
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long read sequencing (Oxford), short read sequencing (Illumina), PCR, qPCR, Isolation of bacteria
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Any type of project linked to the role of microbiota for environmental and human health.
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• BSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Research for BSc thesis (Bachelorarbeit)
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• MSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Research for MSc thesis (Masterarbeit)
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In most of our projects, students are closely by PhD students who will ensure an on-site, intensive supervision of the project.
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Aquatic Systems Biology
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https://www.lss.ls.tum.de/en/aquasys/welcome/
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TUM - Campus Weihenstephan
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Ecology
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Molecular biology and physiology Organismic biology
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Research in the field of ‘Aquatic Systems Biology’ addresses the following core questions: What governs the productivity and biodiversity distribution in aquatic ecosystems? How and to what extent do natural and anthropogenic factors (e.g. extinction events or invasions of neobiota) affect the functioning of these systems? How can effective strategies for aquatic biodiversity conservation be developed which consider both ecological and genetic processes?
We address these questions by combining molecular methods such as molecular genetics and stable isotope analyses with classical methods from ecology, limnology, ecotoxicology and biology of aquatic organisms. This interdisciplinary research approach includes the development of methods for the assessment of aquatic habitat quality, the development and application of molecular genetic markers for aquatic non-model species, analyses of trophic interactions in aquatic ecosystems, as well as the development of stress biomarkers in fish and molluscs. A
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Methods applied span from molecular methods to study genetic diversity over classical ecological approaches to assess biodiversity in the wild to the landscape scale.
Molecular biology, PCR, eDNA, abiotic habitat assessment, sediment analysis, water chemistry, ion chromatography, physiology, biodiversity monitoring, ecotoxicological effect assessment, animal behavior, lanscape ecology, GIS, remote sensing ...
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Analysis of sediment composition and hydrochemical parameters to assess streambed restoration; analysis of invertebrate and fish communities; analysis of ecotoxicological effects in response to environmental stressors; bioindication tools ...and many more: .Just contact us!
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• BSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Research for BSc thesis (Bachelorarbeit)
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• MSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Supervised practical course (Übung; 3 weeks)
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• Research for MSc thesis (Masterarbeit)
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Cellular Agriculture (2) Cultured meat
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https://www.lse.ls.tum.de/cellag/startseite/
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TUM - Campus Weihenstephan
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Biotechnology
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Molecular biology and physiology Agrobiology and -biotechnology
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Our group focuses on different research questions in the field of cultured meat. We build test platforms for cost-effective growth factors, explore strategies to recycle expensive culture media, do cell line development, and design edible scaffolds from fungal mycelium. Alongside this, we use life cycle and techno-economic analyses to assess the environmental and economic potential of cellular agriculture. Together, these projects aim to remove key bottlenecks and bring cultivated meat closer to real-world application.
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Cell culture techniques: General sterile handling with different cell culture lines, various staining methods for microscopy (Live-dead-staining, adipogenic staining, myosis-staining), Various Assays for analysis (Quantification of cell culture in 3D, Glucose- and Ammonia assay)
Process technologies: Bioreactor design (3D-printing), scaffold design / creation
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General and special cell culture techniques; Bioreactor design, scaffold design, cell culture line development
We offer research internships and theses within our ongoing projects (see website).
https://www.lse.ls.tum.de/cellag/forschung/cultured-meat/
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• BSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Research for BSc thesis (Bachelorarbeit)
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• MSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Research for MSc thesis (Masterarbeit)
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We offer research internships and theses within our ongoing projects (see website).
https://www.lse.ls.tum.de/cellag/forschung/cultured-meat/
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Digital Agriculture
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https://www.lse.ls.tum.de/dag/startseite/
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TUM - Campus Weihenstephan
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Plant biology
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Agrobiology and -biotechnology
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Vertical farming of indoor wheat. We study the limits of productivity under fully controlled environmental conditions. Our goal is to optimize growth and climate settings to increase yield per area and time while improving grain quality. In addition, we investigate light use efficiency and explore techniques to further enhance it.
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Plant experiments are conducted in climate chambers under fully controlled conditions, including light (intensity, spectrum, photoperiod), temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide, and hydroponic nutrient solutions. The work involves plant surveys and sensor-based measurements, as well as the implementation, testing, and improvement of sensor technologies and cultivation methods. Collaboration with other disciplines enables investigations of nutrient concentrations, microbiomes, secondary metabolites, and grain quality. Practical tasks also include plant sampling, sample analysis, and the evaluation of experimental data. In addition, students will gain experience with data analysis, modeling, and simulation to better understand plant performance and system optimization.
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Setting up and running plant experiments under controlled environmental conditions, performing sensor measurements and plant surveys, and working with hydroponic systems. Involved in sampling plant material and preparing samples for further analysis.
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• BSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Research for BSc thesis (Bachelorarbeit)
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• MSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Research for MSc thesis (Masterarbeit)
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• Other:
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Research project; Seminar; Projekt Agrarsysteme
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Supervision is planned together with each student and adapted to individual needs. Usually, there will be a weekly meeting (online or on site) and flexible work in the plant experiments. We will provide support with literature search, reference management, structuring your project, running experiments and data analysis. Still, your own initiative and active involvement are key to making the project successful.
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Agrimechatronics
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www.amx.wzw.tum.de
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TUM - Campus Weihenstephan
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Other
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Intelligent Machines for Agriculture
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Other
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Automation, robotics, mechatronics, control engineernig, embedded systems, artifical intelligence.
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- Tractors and other agricultural vehicles
- Tractor-Implement Automation
- Communication technologies for vehicles, like ISOBUS
- Autonomous agricultural vehicles / robots
- Navigation, guidance and planning
- Positioning systems
- Model based control of mechatronic systems
- Drives and power systems
- Robotic implements
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Automation, robotics, mechatronics, control engineernig, embedded systems, artifical intelligence.
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Design and engineering of mechatronics systems, tuning of control systems, dynamic modelling, embedded system programming, system design, precision farming mechatronics, tractors
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• MSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Research for MSc thesis (Masterarbeit)
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• Other:
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Forschungsprojekt
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For Students of the School of Life Sciences
-Trailer estimation for precision agriculture applications. For more details please contact Samuel Brodie
- Potential analysis of Tractor Implement Management (TIM) in practical fieldwork. For more details please contact Marcel Moll
- Ground truth measurement for application of organic dry manure. For more details please contact Ruben Hefele
- Landwirtschaftliche Augmented Reality Anwendungen. For more details please contact Henri Hornburg
- Reduktion des Kraftstoffverbrauchs mittels optimierter Pfadplanung. For more details please contact Henri Hornburg
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Fungal Biotechnology in Wood Science
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https://www.lse.ls.tum.de/en/fungbio/home/
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TUM - Campus Weihenstephan
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Other
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Fungal biotechnology
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Molecular biology and physiology Other
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sustainable biomaterials
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Our research has two directions. We study how filamentous fungi sense and adapt to lignocellulosic biomass, focusing on regulatory networks, signaling, modifications, and sugar transport. This reveals how fungi adjust their metabolism and secretome, with applications in bioenergy and biorefineries and insights into ecological strategies. We also develop mycelium-bound composites as sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based materials. Using forestry by-products, we analyse fungal biodiversity and material resilience, and optimize substrates, additives, and growth to support a bio-based circular economy.
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PCR, DNA sequencing, cloning (restriction enzyme based), genome editing (CRISPR/Cas9), activity assay, next-generation sequencing, proteomics, microscopy (SEM), mechanical tests (compression, bending, tensile strength), thermal stability test
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fungal cultivation, DNA extraction, PCR, qPCR, RNA sequencing, cloning, gene editing, enzyme assays, microscopy, bioinformatics, fungal isolation, ITS sequencing, composite preparation, mechanical testing, substrate optimisation
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• BSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Research for BSc thesis (Bachelorarbeit)
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• MSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Supervised practical course (Übung; 3 weeks)
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• Research for MSc thesis (Masterarbeit)
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All practical projects are supervised individually, and student–supervisor pairings are arranged after personal contact (email) and based on availability. The specific topic and techniques will be defined together with the supervisor, depending on the project focus and laboratory capacities.
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Plant Growth Regulation
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https://www.mls.ls.tum.de/bgk/forschung/forschungsthemen/growth-regulation/
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TUM - Campus Weihenstephan
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Plant biology Biotechnology
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Molecular biology and physiology Agrobiology and -biotechnology
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We study how stem cell identity is established and maintained in plants, from the embryo to the shoot. Using Arabidopsis as a model, we uncover new genetic pathways that either promote or restrict stem cell fate. In parallel, we design chemical tools capable of reprogramming differentiated cells back into stem cells.
Our research address one of the big challenges in plant science: improving tissue culture regeneration, a critical step for crop breeding and plant biotechnology. By joining our lab, students can explore the frontiers of plant developmental biology while contributing to innovations that have a direct impact on sustainable agriculture.
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Molecular cloning of plant transformation constructs (CRISPR/Cas9, Overexpression, GFP/GUS reporter)
Stable and transient genetic transformation of different plant species
Transgene and mutation analysis by PCR and DNA sequencing
Tissue culture-based plant regeneration assays (Arabidopsis, Pea, Sunflower)
Anatomical analysis of plant tissues (embedding, microtome sectioning, light and scanning electron microscopy, subsequent image analysis)
Gene/protein expression analysis (qPCR, fluorescence microscopy of GFP reporters, Western blotting, RNA in situ hybridisation, GUS histochemical staining assays, RNAseq)
Protein interaction analysis (Biotin-based proximity labelling/affinity purification/mass-spectroscopy mediated identification)
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Expression analysis of stem cell determinants in response to chemical booster candidates in Arabidopsis (qPCR, Fluorescence microscopy, GUS histochemical staining).
Analysis of regeneration responses upon chemical treatment (Tissue culture-based plant regeneration assays, anatomical analysis of regenerating tissues).
Characterization of genome-edited plant lines (PCR, DNA sequencing, anatomical analysis of regeneration responses).
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• Research for BSc thesis (Bachelorarbeit)
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• MSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Research for MSc thesis (Masterarbeit)
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Each research project is individually supervised. Interested students are encouraged to reach out to us directly via email. Project opportunities depend on current availability.
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Marketing and Consumer Research
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https://www.msl.mgt.tum.de/en/mcr/home/
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TUM - Campus Weihenstephan
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Other
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Our research focuses on consumer economics and consumer behavior research, primarily (but not exclusively) regarding nutrition behavior and the demand for food.
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Other
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consumer behavior, marketing strategies
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We work on several research themes of consumer behavior regarding nutrition, sustainability, and health. Current ongoing research projects deal with consumers’ perception and acceptance of fermented foods, and the evaluation of marketing activities for promoting Bavarian food products nationally and internationally. Other research activities deal with consumers’ evaluation of packaging designs and innovative products, and the role of compassion in shaping consumption behavior. Furthermore, the Chair focuses on the interactions of supply and demand along the food supply chain and their effects on health and sustainability.
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We employ various research techniques, such as primary data collection through survey research or economic experiments. We also use secondary data from large data collection efforts such as the Income and Expenditure Survey of the Federal Statistical Office, the GfK Consumer Scan panel, or federal health surveys. We use statistical software for data analysis, such as Stata, SPSS, or R. We also employ qualitative research techniques like interviews or focus group discussions.
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The topics result from ongoing research projects at our Chair or cooperation with industry partners. Students can check open project work topics on our website: https://www.msl.mgt.tum.de/en/mcr/teaching/theses-and-projects/
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• Research for BSc thesis (Bachelorarbeit)
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• Research for MSc thesis (Masterarbeit)
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• Other:
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Project work
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Furthermore, students who work in a company or have founded their own startup can also approach us if they want to work on a project study. Further information on the requirements for the project work can also be found in the respective study regulations.
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Agriculture Systems Engineering; Research Group PeroHop4.0
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https://www.lse.ls.tum.de/ast/startseite/
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TUM - Campus Weihenstephan
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Other
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AI spore detection in hop
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Other
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Agriculture Systems Engineering and Phytopathological (integrated plant protection)
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To further develop the existing "Peronospora warning service" in hops, the use of modern technologies such as AI-based automation and networking of spore analysis for Pseudoperonospora humuli will be improved. In addition, real-time spore catchers will be technologically adapted for the application in order to achieve a scalable solution with low personnel costs. In addition, an AI-based, area-specific early warning system will be developed on the basis of extensive historical data, which will provide forecasts for individual regions on the infestation situation for the next two to three days.
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- digital microscopy
- smart traps
- AI
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- Application comparison & technical analysis of SmartTraps
- Creation of precipitation maps and comparison with weather-based models and the Peronospora warning service
- Investigation of powdery mildew (Podosphaera macularis ssp. humuli)
- Investigation of powdery mildew and downy mildew in other crops
- annotation of spores
- Datamanagement
- field and greenhouse trials
And much more.
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• BSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• MSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Research for MSc thesis (Masterarbeit)
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All research projects are supervised individually by contacting christina.sebald@tum.de
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Agricultural Systems Engineering; Research Group PeroHop4.0
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https://www.lse.ls.tum.de/ast/startseite/
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TUM - Campus Weihenstephan
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Other
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Agricultural Systems Engineering (Plant Production and Animal Husbandry)
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Other
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Systems Engineering
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The Chair of Agriculture Systems Engineering is offering a broad variety of research fields like:
- Sensor Networks in agriculture
- Animal-Technology interaction
- Precision Farming and Precision Livestock Farming
- Energy management in agriculture
- Infield logistics (influence factir analysis on field operation strategies
- Electrification in agriculture machinary
- AgriPV Systems
- Field robotic
- Automation of feeding systems for dairy cattle
- Modeling agriculture transport logistics
- Simulation of agricultural harvest chains
- AI-based integrated plant protection
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- various sensors and microcontrollers
- agriculture machinery
- 3D printing
- drones
- robots
and many more
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- H2 production on farms
- Energymanagement on farms
- Application comparison & technical analysis of SmartTraps
- Creation of precipitation maps and comparison with weather-based models and the Peronospora warning service
- Agriculture logistics
- Crop protection technology in sugar beet
- Civil protection in agriculture
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• Research for BSc thesis (Bachelorarbeit)
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• MSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Research for MSc thesis (Masterarbeit)
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All research projects are supervised on an individual basis and includes the student in the ongoing projects.
Students are also very welcome to bring there own ideas for potential research topics.
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Agricultural Systems Engineering
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https://www.lse.ls.tum.de/ast/startseite/
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TUM - Campus Weihenstephan
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Other
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Agricultural Systems Engineering (Plant Production and Animal Husbandry)
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Other
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Systems Engineering
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The Chair of Agriculture Systems Engineering is offering a broad variety of research fields like:
- Sensor Networks in agriculture
- Animal-Technology interaction
- Precision Farming and Precision Livestock Farming
- Energy management in agriculture
- Infield logistics (influence factir analysis on field operation strategies
- Electrification in agriculture machinary
- AgriPV Systems
- Field robotic
- Automation of feeding systems for dairy cattle
- Modeling agriculture transport logistics
- Simulation of agricultural harvest chains
- AI-based integrated plant protection
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- various sensors and microcontrollers
- agriculture machinery
- 3D printing
- drones
- robots
and many more
|
- H2 production on farms
- Energymanagement on farms
- Application comparison & technical analysis of SmartTraps
- Creation of precipitation maps and comparison with weather-based models and the Peronospora warning service
- Agriculture logistics
- Crop protection technology in sugar beet
- Civil protection in agriculture
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• Research for BSc thesis (Bachelorarbeit)
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• MSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Research for MSc thesis (Masterarbeit)
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All research projects are supervised on an individual basis and includes the student in the ongoing projects.
Students are also very welcome to bring there own ideas for potential research topics.
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Chemosensory Food Systems
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www.mls.ls.tum.de/cls/
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TUM - Campus Weihenstephan
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Other
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Food Chemistry / Food Analytics
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Other
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Food Chemistry / Analytical Chemistry
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The Professorship for Chemosensory Food Systems at the TUM School of Life Sciences at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) comprises international research teams with the following focus areas:
PHYTOMETABOLOMICS | Molecular and functional mapping of the metabolic response of food plants on abiotic and biotic stress conditions.
PLANT STRESS AND FLAVOR | Characterization of flavor alterations in crops caused by abiotic and biotic stress challenges, as well as by beneficial fungi
FUNCTIONAL PLANT BIOACTIVES | Activity-guided identification and characterization of bioactive phytochemicals in microorganisms, crops, and model plants.
NUTRITIONAL METABOLOMICS | Human metabolism of biofunctional food ingredients using metabolomics profiling and molecular definition of nutritive biomarker profiles.
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Different separation techniques (e.g. analytical/preparative HPLC, MPLC, FPLC, Ultrafiltration, GPC), (bio)organic synthesis, LC-MS/MS, LC-TOF-MS, HPIC, NMR, sensory analysis, different statistical tools
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Analysis of taste-active peptides from plant protein hydrolysates (analytical/preparative HPLC, MPLC, FPLC, LC-MS/MS, LC-ToF-MS, different software tools, sensory analyses, qNMR)
Development of quantitation methods for taste-active compounds (LC-MS/MS, qNMR, (bio)organic synthesis)
Isolation of natural taste enhancers from food (analytical/preparative HPLC, MPLC, Ultrafiltration, LC-ToF-MS, NMR, sensory analyses)
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• BSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
|
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• Research for BSc thesis (Bachelorarbeit)
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• MSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Research for MSc thesis (Masterarbeit)
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All research projects are supervised on an individual basis, and student-supervisor pairings are made after personal contact (email/Zoom/Teams) and based on availability. Individual topics possible, depending on availability.
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Soil Biophysics and Environmental Systems
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https://www.lss.ls.tum.de/sbe/get-to-know-us/
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TUM - Campus Weihenstephan
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Other
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Soil Physics
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Other
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Environmental physics, Ecohydrology, and Modelling
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Our research focuses on the physical processes that govern water, solute, and gas transport in soils and their interactions with plant roots and soil biota. We aim to understand how soil physical properties, structure, water dynamics, and biological activity shape soil functions under changing environmental conditions, with the goal of improving soil ecosystem functions.
Current projects:
• Soil–plant–atmosphere interactions and their emerging impacts on water, nutrient, and carbon cycles, as well as root water and nutrient uptake
• Agroforestry and agri-PV systems and their interactions with soil and plant processes
• Urban soil management and soil multifunctionality
• Soil amendments and compaction effects on soil hydraulic properties
• Rhizosphere processes influencing water and nutrient fluxes
• Integrated experimental studies combined with numerical modelling in soil–plant systems
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We employ a combination of experimental and modelling techniques, including:
• Soil hydraulic measurements (water retention, infiltration, evaporation, and flow experiments)
• Soil compaction and soil degradation analysis
• Microscopy techniques for studying plant anatomy and root morphology (light microscopy)
• Field and greenhouse trials with plants and soils
• Stable isotope tracing in soil and plant systems (¹³C, ¹⁸O, ²H, ¹⁵N)
• Plant ecophysiological measurements (root water uptake, transpiration, photosynthesis, stomatal conductance)
• Sensors-based monitoring of water cycles in soil and plant systems
• Modelling of soil water flow, solute transport, and coupled root–soil water dynamics
• Data analysis and parameter estimation (inverse modelling, R, Python, MATLAB)
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Students can participate in experimental and modelling projects related to our ongoing research on soil–plant interactions and soil hydrology.
Possible topics include:
• Measuring soil water retention, infiltration, evaporation, and hydraulic conductivity
• Quantifying the effects of soil amendments and compaction on soil physical and hydraulic properties
• Investigating root water uptake and rhizosphere processes under drought or nutrient limitation
• Assessing soil–plant–atmosphere interactions in agroforestry and agri-PV systems
• Conducting field and greenhouse experiments to study urban soil management and multifunctionality
• Developing and applying numerical models of soil water flow and root uptake using Python, R or MATLAB
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• BSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
|
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• Research for BSc thesis (Bachelorarbeit)
|
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• MSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Research for MSc thesis (Masterarbeit)
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• All research projects are supervised individually and tailored to the student’s interests and background by our team members.
• Topics are assigned based on ongoing experiments and modelling activities in the group.
• Interested students should contact the group by email to discuss current opportunities and supervision availability.
• Projects are offered in both English and German.
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Animal Nutrition and Metabolism
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https://www.mls.ls.tum.de/en/anm/arbeitsgruppe-tierernaehrung-und-metabolismus/forschung/
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TUM - Campus Weihenstephan
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Animal biology Microbiology
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Molecular biology and physiology Organismic biology Bioinformatics Other
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Systemic evaluation, balances
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The Animal Nutrition and Metabolism group applies a holistic approach, analyzing biological, technical, and organizational processes to quantify and evaluate nutrient cycles from feed production to environmental emissions. This broad expertise, grounded in experimental research, fosters collaboration across disciplines.
The research aims at sustainable animal production, focusing on animal and consumer welfare as well as food quality and safety. Following the One Health concept, digitalization plays an essential role in assessing the entire animal-based food value chain.
Studies cover metabolic processes in all livestock species, with emphasis on neonatal mammals and dairy and beef cattle. Neonatal mammals also serve as models for human physiology, as the postnatal period is crucial for preventing diseases, particularly intestinal disorders.
Future work targets challenges in sustainable feed and food production, such as climate change (SDGs #12, #2, #13), competition for limited resources (#2, #7), accumulation of harmful substances (#6, #14, #15), feed- and food-related diseases (#3), and the transfer of evidence-based knowledge (#4).
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Basic Proximate Analysis (Weender), Van Soest Fiber Fractionation, Nutrient and Energy Analysis, Nitrogen Fractions and Protein Characterization incl. Amino Acid Profiling, Classical Microbiological Assessment, Hohenheim Feed Value Test (HFT), ...
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Feeding Studies, Analytical work to determine Feed or Water quality, Animal-originated samples (Milk, blood, hairs, meat, ...), or Excretions (Urine, Feces).
|
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• BSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
|
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• Research for BSc thesis (Bachelorarbeit)
|
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• MSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
|
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|
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• Research for MSc thesis (Masterarbeit)
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• Other:
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Praktikum Futtermittelanalytik (German, Elective course in the B.Sc. Agriculture program; remaining places were allocated upon request)
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Topic suggestions will be introduced verbally only.
For safety reasons, not accessible for participants with animal hair allergy.
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Intestinal Microbiome
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https://www.mls.ls.tum.de/inmb/startseite/
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TUM - Campus Weihenstephan
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Microbiology
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Molecular biology and physiology Organismic biology Bioinformatics
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Welcome to our research on the dynamic world of the gut microbiota! The human gastrointestinal tract is home to a diverse community of microbes - bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms that play an important role in keeping us healthy and protecting us from harmful pathogens. However, influences such as antibiotics or inflammation can disrupt this delicate balance and lead to conditions such as a bloom of enterobacteria, where harmful bacteria gain the upper hand. Our research is looking at how these microbial changes affect our health, focusing on enteric pathogens such as Salmonella and E. coli. Using synthetic microbial communities and gnotobiotic mouse models, we are studying the interactions between bacteria, the immune system and pathogens to better understand how these changes occur. Ultimately, our goal is to find new ways to restore balance in the gut, prevent infections and tackle the growing challenge of antibiotic resistance
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Anaerobic bacterial cultivation, Phage Biology, Ecology, Molecular Biology, DNA extraction, Generation of bacterial mutants and verification of phenotypes in phage or pathogen interaction, qPCR, Fermenter Systems, Human stool cultivation,
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Phage isolation, generation of bacterial mutants and test phenotype in defined communities, Generation and testing of bacterial culture media, Anaerobic cultivation of diverse bacteria, Carbon utilization profiles, DNA extracion and qPCR,
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• BSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
|
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• Research for BSc thesis (Bachelorarbeit)
|
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• MSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
|
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• Research for MSc thesis (Masterarbeit)
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We work with S2 Human Pathogens!
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Peptide Biochemistry
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https://www.mls.ls.tum.de/pbch/home/
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TUM - Campus Weihenstephan
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Other
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(Bio)chemistry / Peptide/Protein (bio)chemistry / Medicinal chemistry / Chemical biology /
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Other
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Protein/Peptide (bio)chemistry & biophysics; medicinal chemistry; chemical biology
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Our research aims at understanding biomolecular interactions of proteins and polypeptides mediating biological and disease-associated processes via peptide (bio)chemistry and at developing novel molecules and tools to control or visualize these processes.
We are especially interested in understanding protein interactions mediating amyloid protein misfolding and cell-/neurodegeneration and in devising peptide-based molecules as leads for anti-amyloid drugs. We are also interested in characterizing chemokine interactions in atherosclerosis and in designing peptides as modulators.
Current research activities aim at:
(A) Understanding protein misfolding, interactions, and amyloid self-assembly linked to cell degeneration and pathogenesis of Alzheimer`s disease (AD), type II diabetes (T2D), and Parkinson's disease (PD).
(B) Devising peptide-based molecules to interfere with or visualize amyloid self-assembly as therapeutic leads or non-invasive amyloid diagnostics in AD, T2D, and PD.
(C) Characterizing interactions of the proinflammatory chemokine MIF with its receptors and designing peptides as therapeutic leads for atherosclerosis.
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We are using protein(peptide) chemical design and peptide synthesis strategies and a broad range of biochemical and biophysical methods including peptide synthesis, purification/characterization, peptide arrays, and a broad range of biochemical/biophysical methods to study peptide/protein folding/protein-protein interactions/protein misfolding/structure/aggregation/bioactivity/ amyloidogenicity/interactions/effects on amyloidogenicity & cell viability, e.g. amyloid quantification assays, CD and fluorescence spectroscopies, microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, NuPAGE/WB, cross-linking, size exclusion chromatography (SEC), cell culture and cell viability assays.
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(a) Protein-protein interactions (PPIs) underlying protein aggregation and cell degeneration and the design, synthesis, and development of peptides as protein aggregation inhibitors and leads for anti-amyloid drugs in Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes type II, and Parkinson's disease.
(b) proinflammatory chemokine interactions in atherosclerosis and the design, synthesis and development of peptides to modulate these interactions and control their function.
Techniques see above.
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• BSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
|
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• Research for BSc thesis (Bachelorarbeit)
|
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• MSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
|
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• Research for MSc thesis (Masterarbeit)
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All research projects are supervised on an individual basis; student-supervisor personal contact required; selection according to qualification, suitability, and vacancies.
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Plant Genetics
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https://www.mls.ls.tum.de/en/pgen/home/
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TUM - Campus Weihenstephan
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Plant biology Microbiology Ecology
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Molecular biology and physiology Bioinformatics Agrobiology and -biotechnology
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Below-ground livings stay among earth, plants and microorganisms in between, supporting with nutritional function and ecosystem service on planet. We aim to understand plant below-ground genetics, that includes the general definition of root systems formation and function, root closely friend 'rhizosphere', and their biotic and abiotic interactions with microorganisms or 'microbiome', which are linked with diverse environmental domains. We apply classical plant population and microbial genetics approaches, and innovative solutions such as functional genetics and genomics strategies. We are interested on the theoretical 'interaction' mechanism but also willing to translate and incorporate such interacted outcome into agricultural productivity and ecosystem health. We are wishing to manipulate plant below-ground genetics, and engineer the root and rhizosphere 'holobiont' to boost tomorrow’s food production and climate resilience.
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PCR and qPCR (for detecting and quantifying microbial genes or plant response genes); Isolation and culturing of rhizobacteria; Functional characterization of rhizobacteria (e.g., Nitrogen fixation, phosphorus solubilization); Enzyme assays (e.g., nitrogenase activity, phosphatase activity); 16S rRNA and ITS sequencing (for bacterial and fungal community profiling); Metagenomics (microbial community DNA sequencing); RNA-Seq (for transcriptome profiling of plant);
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Practical projects at our group span two directions.
In the bioinformatics and microbial community analysis area, students may work on 16S rRNA or ITS amplicon sequencing data to characterize rhizosphere microbial diversity, analyze metagenomic or transcriptomic datasets to identify microbial genes involved in nutrient cycling or plant signaling, or apply network analysis to explore co-occurrence patterns in root-associated microbiomes. Students may also use GWAS to identify plant genetic loci associated with microbial recruitment or resistance traits.
In the molecular biology and plant physiology area, students may study the colonization of roots by beneficial microbes using microscopy (e.g. confocal or fluorescence imaging), evaluate physiological responses such as root architecture changes, root anatomy under abiotic stresses such as drought or nutrients deficiency. Projects may also include greenhouse trials to assess the effects of microbial inoculants on growth, nutrient uptake, or drought resistance in crops such as maize, wheat, or legumes.
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• BSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
|
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• Research for BSc thesis (Bachelorarbeit)
|
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• MSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
|
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• Research for MSc thesis (Masterarbeit)
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All research projects are supervised on an individual basis, and student-supervisor pairings are made after personal contact (pengyu.yu@tum.de) and based on personal interests and availability.
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Zoology
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https://www.mls.ls.tum.de/zoologie/startseite/
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TUM - Campus Weihenstephan
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Animal biology Other
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Neuroscience
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Molecular biology and physiology Organismic biology Other
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Neuroscience
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We want to understand neuronal processing that generates behavior in the brains of various animal species. Among the questions that we study is target range representation in echolocating bats, sleep activity relates to memory formation in birds, multimodal integration of input, bottom-up processing of visual input to control attention, and the evolution of visual pathways. We also look at insect cuticle structures on a biomimetic background.
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Anatomy and histology, pathway tracings in vitro and in vivo, embryology, single cell electrophysiology with sharp and patch electrodes, optical imaging, multi-electrode recordings both in-vivo and in vitro, cell transfections, various types of microscopy including confocal, Bioinformatics.
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Anatomy and histology, pathway tracing, developmental studies, single cell physiology, cell transfections, data analysis, programming, behavioral analysis, bioinformatics, quantitative microscopic analyses.
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• BSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
|
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• Research for BSc thesis (Bachelorarbeit)
|
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• MSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
|
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• Research for MSc thesis (Masterarbeit)
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• Other:
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Grundpraktikum Neurobiologie (2 weeks)
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All research projects and theses are supervised on a one-to-one basis, with details being discussed prior to the project and individual interests being included. Only the Grundpraktikum Neurobiologie is a course-type practical with experiments being done in small groups.
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Computational Neuroscience
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https://www.mls.ls.tum.de/compneuro/
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TUM - Campus Weihenstephan
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Biotechnology
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Molecular biology and physiology Bioinformatics Theoretical biology Other
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Neuroscience
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We build mathematical models of brain function. We are interested in how neural circuits in the brain become built up during early stage of development and during learning and memory formation in adulthood. For this, we build neuronal models and connect them with recurrent connections which can change in magnitude dependent on different types of synaptic plasticity rules that use activity of the neurons. We usually analyze a lot of data from experimental collaborators and use it to inspire and constrain our models. Recent focus has been on how inhibition controls activity in neural networks and what might go wrong during disease.
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Mathematical models, network simulations, mathematical analysis
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Simulating the development of neural circuits for vision, investigating the role of inhibition and different amounts of inhibitory neurons in neural networks, inferring learning rules from neuronal data.
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• BSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Research for BSc thesis (Bachelorarbeit)
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• MSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Research for MSc thesis (Masterarbeit)
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All research projects are supervised on an individual basis with the director mentor/supervisor determined depending on interest and topic.
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Data Science in Systems Biology
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https://www.mls.ls.tum.de/en/daisybio/home/
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TUM - Campus Weihenstephan
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Other
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Computational biology and bioinformatics
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Bioinformatics
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Bioinformatics acts and functions only as a bridge science, linking biology, medicine and computer science as well as the increasingly important field of data science. There are enormous challenges to overcome here, particularly in systems biology. More and more molecular data is being collected here that needs to be analysed. The heterogeneity of the data is unprecedented and encompasses many different levels of cellular mechanisms, which are recorded using multi-omics data. Harnessing and interpreting this data requires advances in machine learning, data integration, visualisation and analysis. For the latter, we would like to involve the experts and create new approaches for explorative analyses (human in the loop).
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Data processing and analysis, statistical analysis, machine learning, systems and network biology, data integration (multi-omics, multi-modal)
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Data analysis and machine learning applications, specifically on transcriptomics / RNA-seq (bulk, single-cell, spatial), microbiome (mostly 16S), genomics, epigenomics.
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• MSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Research for MSc thesis (Masterarbeit)
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Research projects are supervised on an individual basis and limited by topic availability. Taking on a project in data analysis requires solid skills in scripting / programming in at least R or python as well as prior experience and knowledge in statistical analysis and machine learning.
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Animal Physiology and Immunology (1)
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https://www.mls.ls.tum.de/physio/ag-prof-zehn/
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TUM - Campus Weihenstephan
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Other
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Immunology
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Molecular biology and physiology
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Our work is largely focused on understanding T cell responses during acute and chronic viral infection. We are specifically interested in the phenomenon of T cell exhaustion and how we can augment T cell functions in vivo.
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Genome editing (CRISPR/Cas9)
LCMV infection model in mice
Flow cytometry
Cell culture
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CRISPR Cas9 mediated KO of target genes in human and mouse primary T cells. KO validation using PCR and Sanger sequencing. Cell culture of KO and WT cells different with different cytokine supplements. Analyzing induced phenotype changes using flow cytometry.
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• BSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
|
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• Research for BSc thesis (Bachelorarbeit)
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• MSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
|
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• Research for MSc thesis (Masterarbeit)
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We work in an S2 laboratory.
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Animal Physiology and Immunology (2)
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https://www.mls.ls.tum.de/physio/
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TUM - Campus Weihenstephan
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Animal biology
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Molecular biology and physiology
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|
Our work focuses on the discovery of transcriptional biomarkers in liquid biopsy samples.
Cell-free RNA can be found in any body fluid, mainly associated to extracellular vesicles which protect it from degradation. This opens up promising opportunities for minimally invasive diagnostics.
We have developed a pipeline for the discovery and validation of cell-free transcriptomic biomarker signatures, which we have successfully employed to several biofluids in multiple studies over the past years.
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Next-generation Sequencing (Whole-Exome Sequencing, total RNA-Sequencing, small RNA Sequencing),
(RT-)qPCR,
Isolation and Characterization of Extracellular Vesicles (Ultracentrifugation, Precipitation, Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis, Flow Cytometry),
Isolation and Quality Control of Nucleic Acids
|
Assistance in transcriptional biomarker discovery / validation studies
(RNA Isolation and Quality Control,
Isolation and Characterization of Extracellular Vesicles, Next-generation Sequencing,
RT-qPCR)
|
|
• BSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
|
|
• Research for BSc thesis (Bachelorarbeit)
|
|
• MSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
|
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|
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• Research for MSc thesis (Masterarbeit)
|
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• Other:
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PhD positions
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|
All research projects are supervised on an individual basis and offered based on availability.
|
|
|
Animal Physiology and Immunology (3)
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|
https://www.mls.ls.tum.de/en/physio/wg-prof-pfaffl/scientific-staff/
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TUM - Campus Weihenstephan
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Animal biology Microbiology Biotechnology
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Molecular biology and physiology Bioinformatics
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|
Our major research themes are in the field of extracellular vesicle (EV) isolation, flow cytometry, EV proteomics, and bioinformatics. We focus on leveraging EV-based technologies to identify and validate biomarkers for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and infectious diseases such as sepsis and bacteremia. By integrating advanced EV isolation methods, high-dimensional flow cytometry, and mass spectrometry–based proteomics with innovative bioinformatics pipelines, our research aims to uncover disease-specific vesicular signatures for early detection, prognosis, and treatment monitoring, advancing the development of noninvasive EV-based liquid biopsy platforms for precision medicine.
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Extracellular Vesicle (EV) Isolation
Flow Cytometry and Bead-Based EV Analysis:
Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis (NTA):
Proteomic Profiling (LC-MS/MS)
Bioinformatics and Computational Analysis
In Vitro Functional Assays (Cell culture)
|
|
Characterization of Tumor-Derived Extracellular Vesicles and Their Functional Impact on Cell Proliferation in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC)
|
|
• BSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
|
|
• Research for BSc thesis (Bachelorarbeit)
|
|
• MSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
|
|
|
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• Research for MSc thesis (Masterarbeit)
|
|
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|
1. "Workflow for EV Isolation, Characterization, Proteomic Profiling, and Functional Analysis in HNSCC Cell Lines"
2. "Stepwise Analysis of HNSCC-Derived Extracellular Vesicles: Isolation, Flow Cytometry, NTA, Proteomics, and Functional Assay"
3. "Integrated Pipeline for EV Isolation, Marker Validation, Proteomics, and Cell Proliferation Studies in HNSCC"
4. "Sequential Characterization of Extracellular Vesicles from HNSCC Cells: From Isolation to Functional Validation"
5. "Comprehensive Practical Workflow for EV Isolation, QC, Proteomic Analysis, and Functional Testing in HNSCC"
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Crop Physiology
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https://www.mls.ls.tum.de/cropphys/startseite/
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TUM - Campus Weihenstephan
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Plant biology
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Molecular biology and physiology Agrobiology and -biotechnology
|
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|
We investigate mineral nutrient- and water efficiency mechanisms in plants. To this aim functions, transport pathways and regulatory networks of mineral nutrients and water are studied in crops and model plants. A particular focus is on transcriptional, developmental and signaling response reactions to nutrient/water deficiency and mineral toxicity.
Of central interest are the essential and beneficial plant nutrients boron (B), phosphorus (P) and silicon (Si), and the toxic and carcinogenic element arsenic (As).
Our research targets the understanding of the physiology of plants down to the structure and function of genes and proteins as well as mechanisms, which allow optimizing biotechnologically and agriculturally important quality and yield traits and the generation of crops, which are beneficial for the society in terms of food-security (improved plant performance and stress tolerance) and food-safety (generation of healthier food).
To this aim, we synergistically bridge classic plant nutritional research with modern molecular biology and exploits the precious genetic diversity of different crop varieties.
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Plant elemental composition analysis (ionomics), molecular genetic techniques, PCR, qPCR (gene expression analysis), DNA cloning and sequencing, microscopy, biochemical techniques (protein activity assays, Western blots, protein purification), plant physiological assays, root and shoot (architectural) image-based phenotyping of plants, water and mineral nutrient transport and kinetic assays in plants and in the heterologous yeast expression system.
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Crop/model plant mutant analysis (PCR, DNA sequencing, qPCR, elemental composition analysis, plant physiology); Forward and reverse genetic analysis of crop- and model plants; Screening plant populations for relevant agronomic traits including water and mineral nutrient efficiency and abiotic stress tolerance (plant physiology, elemental composition analysis, genome-wide association mapping); Assessment of transcriptional responses of genotypes of contrasting resilience to abiotic stresses (qPCR, plant physiology); Assessment of plant nutrient and water transport processes at the cellular and whole plant level (uptake and (re-) translocation assays in plants, complementation and toxicity growth assays in yeasts, in vitro selectivity and kinetic transport assays of transport proteins); Analysis of crop-specific mineral nutrient (P, K, N, Zn, B) demands under field conditions exploiting the precious long-term TUM field and mesocosm experiments in dependence of soil properties such as texture and pH.
|
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• BSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
|
|
• Research for BSc thesis (Bachelorarbeit)
|
|
• MSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
|
|
|
|
• Research for MSc thesis (Masterarbeit)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Research projects are supervised on an individual basis, with student-supervisor pairings arranged after personal contact (via email) and based on availability.
|
|
|
Integrated Organoid Systems
|
|
https://www.cos.tum.de/en/cos/research/dowbaj-lab/
|
|
TUM - Campus Garching
|
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Animal biology
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|
|
|
Molecular biology and physiology Organismic biology
|
|
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|
In our laboratory we use complex organoids to investigate signaling between epithelial cells and their niche. We use liver as a model organ, where we investigate mechanisms leading to functional decline as a result of aging or disease.
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cell culture, organoid culture, tissue processing, immunofluorescence staining, live microscopy, confocal microscopy, genotyping
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|
cell culture, immunofluorescence staining
|
|
• BSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
|
|
• Research for BSc thesis (Bachelorarbeit)
|
|
• MSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
|
|
|
|
• Research for MSc thesis (Masterarbeit)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Currently the lab is full until June 2027. I will consider students for all above from then, you can contact me from March 2027.
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|
|
Plant Cell Biology
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|
https://www.professoren.tum.de/gronnier-julien
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|
TUM - Campus Weihenstephan
|
|
Plant biology
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|
|
|
Molecular biology and physiology Bioinformatics Other
|
|
Cell Biology
|
|
The research conducted at the Chair of Plant Cell Biology employs multidisciplinary approaches, including genetics, biochemistry, and live-cell super-resolution microscopy, to unravel fundamental aspects of cell surface signaling in plants.
|
Live-cell Imaging
Single molecule localization microscopy
Super resolution microscopy
Computational biology
Molecular cloning
Gene editing
Plant protein Biochemistry
|
Confocal microscopy
Variable-angle Total Internal Fluorescence microscopy
Plant transformation
Co-immunoprecipitation
Plant immunity bioassays
Plant development bioassays
Western-blot analysis
Mathematical modelling
Machine learning
|
|
• BSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
|
|
• Research for BSc thesis (Bachelorarbeit)
|
|
• MSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
|
|
• Supervised practical course (Übung; 3 weeks)
|
|
• Research for MSc thesis (Masterarbeit)
|
|
|
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|
|
The practical work are discussed with interested students to fit at best their interest(s).
|
|
|
Computational Mass Spectrometry
|
|
https://www.mls.ls.tum.de/en/compms/home/
|
|
TUM - Campus Weihenstephan
|
|
Animal biology Plant biology Microbiology Biotechnology
|
|
|
|
Bioinformatics
|
|
|
|
We work at the exciting intersection of biology, chemistry, and computer science. Our mission is to unlock the vast potential of mass spectrometry data, especially in proteomics, by creating powerful computational methods that reveal how proteins function in health and disease. What sets us apart is our ability to bridge deep biological insight with cutting-edge algorithms, databases, and machine learning models, enabling discoveries that would otherwise remain hidden. We are not only innovators in method development but also builders of tools and platforms that are designed to be practical, scalable, and accessible to the broader scientific community. Many of our solutions are open source, making them widely available to researchers worldwide. Collaboration is at the heart of our work: by partnering with biologists, clinicians, and biotechnologists, we ensure that our research has real impact—from advancing fundamental science to shaping translational and clinical applications. In our international and interdisciplinary team, students find an inspiring environment to grow, contribute, and push the boundaries of computational life science.
|
|
machine learning, deep learning, neural networks, proteomics, transcriptomics, multi-omics, data bases, knowledge bases, platforms, tools, statistics, normalization, quantification
|
Students joining us can work on a variety of exciting projects that blend biological data, programming, and analytical thinking. Possible topics include developing and benchmarking computational methods for proteomics data analysis, implementing deep learning models to predict peptide behavior in mass spectrometry, or building visualization tools for large-scale biological datasets. Other projects may involve integrating multi-omics data, optimizing database performance for proteomics platforms such as ProteomicsDB, or improving the reproducibility and accessibility of bioinformatics pipelines.
Through this work, students learn techniques such as advanced Python or R programming, machine learning (especially neural networks), database management (SQL and in-memory databases), mass spectrometry data processing, quantitative and statistical analysis, and software development practices like version control and reproducible workflows. They also gain insights into biological interpretation, learning how computational tools can answer real questions in molecular biology and clinical research.
|
|
• BSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
|
|
• Research for BSc thesis (Bachelorarbeit)
|
|
• MSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
|
|
|
|
• Research for MSc thesis (Masterarbeit)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Students completing practical work or theses are fully integrated into the team’s research environment. Each student is supervised by a primary mentor—usually a PhD student or postdoc—who provides day-to-day guidance, while overall supervision and academic alignment are ensured by the group leader. Regular meetings support progress tracking, troubleshooting, and methodological feedback. Projects typically begin with a clear proposal defining objectives, methods, and milestones, ensuring that students understand both the scientific and computational aspects of their topic. Throughout the work, students gain access to high-performance computing resources, large datasets, and established tools used by the group. Emphasis is placed on reproducibility, code quality, and clear documentation. Deliverables usually include a functional method or software component, a written report, and a presentation. Continuous feedback, both individual and within group meetings, helps students develop technical skills, scientific reasoning, and independence—preparing them for future research or industry roles.
|
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|
Chemistry of Biogenic Resources
|
|
https://cbr.cs.tum.de/de/
|
|
TUM - Campus Straubing
|
|
Biotechnology
|
|
|
|
Molecular biology and physiology Other
|
|
|
The Chair for Chemistry of Biogenic Resources at TUM focuses on developing sustainable chemical and biotechnological processes for a future based on renewable raw materials instead of fossil fuels. Our research explores how biomass, hydrogen, and CO₂ can be transformed into valuable products such as biofuels, biopolymers, raw materials and fine chemicals. We combine biocatalysis, enzyme engineering, and chemical catalysis to create innovative, efficient, and eco-friendly production routes. By engineering new enzymes and enzyme cascades, we aim to harness nature’s chemistry for industrial applications.
At our main campus in Straubing, we investigate biocatalytic systems, novel reaction pathways, and process optimization strategies that make renewable feedstocks viable for large-scale use.
In Garching, our group focuses on accelerating biocatalyst discovery and engineering. We develop and use cell-free protein synthesis platforms (CFPS) and microfluidic screening tools to rapidly produce and test new enzymes. These cutting-edge technologies help us identify efficient catalysts faster and enable the development of sustainable chemical processes.
|
|
PCR, Cloning, Protein purification, Fermentation, Cell-free enzymatic cascades, Enzyme kinetics, Enzyme engineering, Cell-free protein synthesis, Synthetic biology, Droplet microfluidics, Programming
|
- Optimization of cell-free protein synthesis systems for protein production (CFPS, cloning, programming in Python)
- Optimization of a bottom-up synthetic cell for enzyme discovery (CFPS, protein purification, ribosome purification, tRNA purification, PCR, programming in Python)
- Development of biochemical assay reactions for measuring enyzmatic activities in cell free protein synthesis systems (CFPS, microfluidics, protein purification, cloning, enzyme kinetics)
- Enzyme characterization (protein purification, cloning, enzyme kinetics, HPLC)
- Enzyme discovery (CFPS, microfluidics, protein purification, cloning, enzyme kinetics)
- Enzyme engineering (CFPS, microfluidics, protein purification, cloning, enzyme kinetics)
|
|
• BSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
|
|
• Research for BSc thesis (Bachelorarbeit)
|
|
• MSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
|
|
|
|
• Research for MSc thesis (Masterarbeit)
|
|
|
|
|
If you are interested in applying for an internship, for a Bachelor or Master Thesis, please send us your official transcript of records and a short outline of your research interests to tobias.koellen@tum.de. We will then check availability with the responsible persons in our group.
|
|
|
Precision Agriculture
|
|
https://paglab.org/
|
|
TUM - Campus Weihenstephan
|
|
Plant biology Ecology Other
|
|
Agroecology
|
|
Other
|
|
Digital agricultural technology
|
|
We are interested in understanding how digital technologies can make agriculture more sustainable and efficient. We combine remote sensing, AI, and crop science to characterize agricultural lanscape and quantify how field crops grow, respond to stress, and use resources such as water and nitrogen.
|
|
We use drones, satellites, and handheld sensors to measure crop traits, such as biomass, chlorophyll, water and nitrogen, across time and space. This helps us link field observations with large-scale remote sensing monitoring for yield and stress detection.
|
|
Our group offers various opportunities for Bachelor and Master students to gain experience in precision agriculture, remote sensing, and data-driven crop science. Students can participate in field, lab, and data analysis activities as part of research projects and theses.
|
|
|
|
• Research for BSc thesis (Bachelorarbeit)
|
|
• MSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
|
|
• Supervised practical course (Übung; 3 weeks)
|
|
• Research for MSc thesis (Masterarbeit)
|
|
|
|
|
Example topics for research project and theses:
- Crop field phenotyping using drone remote sensing
- Biodiversity monitoring in agricultural landscape using drones and AI
- Leaf spectroscopy to quantify plant nitrogen and pigment traits
- Integrating AI and physical models for predicting plant biophysical traits
|
|
|
Animal Physiology and Immunology (4)
|
|
https://www.mls.ls.tum.de/physio/ag-prof-zehn/
|
|
TUM - Campus Weihenstephan
|
|
Other
|
|
Immunology
|
|
Molecular biology and physiology
|
|
|
|
CD8+ T cells are a key component in the naturally occurring immune protection against viral and many bacterial infections and against malignant diseases. We aims to unravel new molecular mechanisms and strategies to more effectively engage T cells for prophylactic and therapeutic purposes. On this basis we seek to develop new treatment options for diseases in humans and livestock.
|
|
Flow cytometry, cell culture, animal models, PCR, Western blotting
|
|
Characterization of tissue resident memory T cells during secondary influenza infections by flow cytometry and qPCR.
|
|
• BSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
|
|
• Research for BSc thesis (Bachelorarbeit)
|
|
• MSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
|
|
• Supervised practical course (Übung; 3 weeks)
|
|
• Research for MSc thesis (Masterarbeit)
|
|
|
|
|
|
All research projects are supervised on an individual basis. All student-supervisor combinations are determined after a personal interview. Research interns have the opportunity to rotate through the laboratory and thus become familiar with many different methods.
|
|
|
Global Change Limnology
|
|
https://www.lss.ls.tum.de/gcl/startseite/
|
|
Other
|
|
Ecology
|
|
|
|
Organismic biology Bioinformatics Other
|
|
population genomics
|
We combine limnology – the study of inland waters – with evolutionary biology and biodiversity genomics. This triad opens up fascinating interfaces and forms the foundation of what we call Global Change Limnology.
We focus on where biodiversity originates – at the genomic level. All higher-level biological and ecological processes depend on it. Biodiversity defines the function, quality, and resilience of ecosystems – for our research, freshwater systems.
Fascinating about our research is the study from the very small to the very large: from free-floating DNA molecules to the adaptive capacity of entire lakes in the face of global change – and doing so while considering all mechanisms of ecology and evolution.
|
Our methods cover three disciplines:
* limnological field research for the assessment and monitoring of aquatic biodiversity (mostly in lakes), this also includes scientific diving
* molecular ecology and biodiversity genomics in such that we apply the whole processing pipeline from DNA isolation, to DNA sequencing, mostly in-house via Oxford Nanopore. We thus produce genomic data of single individuals, pooled individuals and metacommunities
* bioinformatic approaches for the analysis of population genomic, metabarcoding and metagenomics data, as well as statistical association of genomic and environmental data
|
Our teaching & training focuses on three levels:
* limnological field work (e.g. qualitative and quantitative analysis of plankton, eDNA/eRNA assessment of benthal communities)
* molecular ecology (e.g. individual barcoding of aquatic fauna, metabarcoding or metagenomic of Pre-Alpine lakes for biodiversity assessment)
* population genomic/metagenomic data analysis (e.g. de novo genome assembly, metagenomic data analysis for biodiversity monitoring, comparative analysis of genotype-environment associations across Pre-Alpine lakes)
|
|
• BSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
|
|
• Research for BSc thesis (Bachelorarbeit)
|
|
• MSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
|
|
• Supervised practical course (Übung; 3 weeks)
|
|
• Research for MSc thesis (Masterarbeit)
|
|
• Other:
|
|
Scientific diving training
|
|
Our research group is located at the Limnological research Station in Iffeldorf, approx. 45 km South of Munich. For practical work and internships, students can be hosted in the station during the week. Iffeldorf can be reached via public transport (train from Munich Hbf 50 minutes).
|
|
|
Smart Production Systems
|
|
https://www.lse.ls.tum.de/bgt/forschung/ag-intelligente-produktionssysteme/
|
|
TUM - Campus Weihenstephan
|
|
Other
|
|
Information technology in modern production systems
|
|
Other
|
|
Information Technology
|
|
Artificial intelligence, multi-agent systems, modelling and simulation as well as standardised data and communication interfaces in modern production systems. Focus on life sciences, particulary the food and beverage industry
|
|
Modeling of Multi-(AI)Agent systems; Modeling and Simulation in the context of Cyber Physical Production Systems, for virtual engineering, digital twins, energie analysis & sustainability etc.; Geneneration of information models (e.g. for OPC UA); Programming
|
|
E.g. modeling and simulation of processes for digital twins and virtual commissioning, AI Agent and LLM approaches for automatic generation of PLC code and simulation models; Modeling of information models for OPC UA; Modeling of digital twins for the purpose of energie analysis. The willingness to acquire programming skills is an advantage in most areas.
|
|
|
|
• Research for BSc thesis (Bachelorarbeit)
|
|
• MSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
|
|
|
|
• Research for MSc thesis (Masterarbeit)
|
|
|
|
|
|
All research projects are supervised on an individual basis, and student-supervisor pairings are made after personal contact (email) and based on availability and current research topics.
|
|
|
Molecular Nutritional Medicine
|
|
https://www.mls.ls.tum.de/en/mnm/home/
|
|
TUM - Campus Weihenstephan
|
|
Animal biology Other
|
|
Energy Balance
|
|
Molecular biology and physiology
|
|
|
|
Body mass and composition are a direct consequence of the balance between energy intake and expenditure. Our research infers the regulation of energy balance and the physiological mechanisms by which food and nutrition influence metabolism. The main goal is to understand the role of adipose tissues in the control of energy intake, energy storage, and energy expenditure. A dominant contributor to energy expenditure is brown adipose tissue. As the central mammalian heater organ, its activity must be tightly controlled between no thermogenesis at all and an enormous turnover rate of nutrient chemical energy. This non-shivering thermogenic process can be the greatest single contributor to total metabolic rate and thus strongly tip energy balance. Crucial points of control are located within or targeted at mitochondria, the cellular power plants. We investigate molecular signals with the aim to identify novel targets to pharmacologically manipulate in the treatment of metabolic disease.
|
|
Indirect calorimetry, Feeding-Drinking-Activity, Non-invasive imaging techniques, Microplate-based respirometry, Clark-type electrode-based respirometry, Direct calorimetry, Primary cell isolation, 2D and 3D Cell culture (Spheroids), Live cell imaging, Histology, Immunohistochemistry, Western blot, PCR, DNA purification, Cloning, Mutagenesis, Transfection, Lentiviral overexpression, Cell line establishment, Glucose uptake assays, Enzymatic assays, ELISA, Organelle-targeted Ca²⁺ probes; Live Ca²⁺ imaging; Fluorimetry plate reader kinetics; Mitochondria isolation
|
Analysis of knockout efficiency in primary cells.
From mouse to human: establishing 3D adipocyte cultures for translational insights.
Secretin signaling in brown adipose tissue activation.
Role of secretin in the hedonic control of food intake.
Molecular cloning of UCP1 mutants.
Respirometric analysis of UCP1 activation and inhibition kinetics.
Assessing the effect of UCP1 activation on cellular glucose uptake.
Evaluating the cellular localisation of ectopically expressed UCP1 via imaging techniques.
Exploring measures to prevent lipotoxicity in fat cells in vitro.
Functional characterization of DGAT1 phosphosites in regulating enzyme activity and lipid cycle–driven thermogenesis.
Establishment and characterization of murine adipocyte-derived cell lines stably overexpressing DGAT1 and its phosphosite mutants.
Assessing the role of amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) in mitochondrial calcium buffering.
|
|
• BSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
|
|
• Research for BSc thesis (Bachelorarbeit)
|
|
• MSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
|
|
|
|
• Research for MSc thesis (Masterarbeit)
|
|
|
|
|
|
All research projects are supervised on an individual basis. Please inquire fromme@tum.de regarding projects available
|
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Analytical Food Chemistry
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https://www.lse.ls.tum.de/en/alchem/home/
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TUM - Campus Weihenstephan
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Other
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Food Chemistry
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Other
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Analytical chemistry
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Vitamin analysis
Mycotoxin analysis
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LC-MS/MS
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Mycotoxin analysis
Analysis of Folate, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12
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• MSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Research for MSc thesis (Masterarbeit)
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For internships of Master theses background and basic experience in HPLC and chemical analytical work is required
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Plant Epigenomics
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www.johanneslab.org
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TUM - Campus Weihenstephan
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Plant biology Biotechnology
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Organismic biology Bioinformatics Theoretical biology
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Our main research goal is to understand chromatin-based mechanisms of genome regulation and epigenetic inheritance in plants. We are particularly interested in studying how genetic, environmental and stochastic factors perturb plant epigenomes over developmental and evolutionary time-scales, and whether such perturbations have agricultural and evolutionary consequences. To address this, we combine experimental approaches with computational / modelling analysis of high-throughput epigenomic data. Current research themes include:
- Mapping the epigenetic basis of complex traits
- Characterizing (epi)mutational processes
- Developing epigenetic clocks
- Applying machine learning to predict 3D chromatin structure
- Exploring the (epi)genomic basis of high-alpine adaptation
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Computational biology, Next generation sequencing (wet-lab and dry-lab), statistical modeling
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Dry-lab: Analysis of Next Generation Sequencing data, including WGBS, ATAC-seq, RNA-seq
Wet-lab: NGS library preparation
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• BSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Research for BSc thesis (Bachelorarbeit)
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• MSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Research for MSc thesis (Masterarbeit)
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In the Forschungspraktikum, students are paired with a PhD student and work on a topic consistent with the research theme of that PhD.
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Microbial Physiology
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https://www.professoren.tum.de/pester-michael
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TUM - Campus Weihenstephan
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Microbiology
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Molecular biology and physiology
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We are particularly interested in ecosystem services that microorganisms provide to humans and how microorganisms interconnect carbon, nitrogen and sulfur cycling in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Our research aims to identify microbial key players driving the major biogeochemical cycles, quantify their in situ abundance and activity, and investigate their physiology. Our interests encompass new metabolic functions and pathways, as well as the enrichment and isolation of novel microorganisms.
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• DNA extraction, PCR, cloning and sequencing as well as amplicon sequencing (next generation sequencing) of 16S rRNA and functional genes to identify microorganisms in environmental samples
• Quantitative PCR (qPCR) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (CARD-FISH) to quantify the abundance of microorganisms in complex microbial communities
• Metagenomics and metatranscriptomics to investigate the potential function of uncultivated microorganisms
• Classical cultivation techniques and continuous cultivation in bioreactors for the targeted enrichment and isolation of novel microorganisms
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• Microbial sulfur metabolism in soils and sediments
• Nitrification and nitrogen cycling in freshwater environments
• Syntrophic cooperation promoting carbon mineralization processes in anoxic environments
• Synthetic microbial communities
• Plant-fungi-bacteria interactions
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• BSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Research for BSc thesis (Bachelorarbeit)
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• MSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Research for MSc thesis (Masterarbeit)
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Projects are usually supervised individually (no group work) and can be offered according to capacity and availability.
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Translational Microbiome Data Integration
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https://www.mls.ls.tum.de/mdi/startseite/
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TUM - Campus Weihenstephan
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Other
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Microbiome
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Molecular biology and physiology Bioinformatics
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Our aim is to understand the role of the human microbiome in health and disease. The human microbiome is the large collection of bacteria, viruses, archaea and fungi that live in and on our body. Most of these organisms live in our gut and provide important immunological and metabolic benefits. In many diseases, such as chronic inflammatory bowel diseases and immune-related diseases, an imbalance of these microbial communities has been observed. The underlying reasons and consequences of this imbalance are largely unknown though. Previous studies have identified taxonomic changes of the microbiome and disease-associated bacterial species. However, different strains of the same species can substantially differ in their functional capacities. To address these challenges, our lab uses integrated analyses of complex multi-omics datasets from large clinical cohorts to computationally predict host-microbial interactions. We then follow up with experimental validation of the immunogenicity and inflammatory activity of the identified bacterial strains and metabolites, providing insights into the potential mechanisms of the human microbiome in health and diseases.
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Bioinformatic analyses
Programming
Multi-omics data
DNA/RNA sequencing (short + long reads)
PCR
Biochemical techniques
Bacterial isolations
Cell culture
Organoids
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Host-microbial interactions (culturing bacteria, culturing cell lines or organoids, characterising the interactions, ...)
Bacterial isolations and characterisation (isolation from patient samples, growth curves, DNA/RNA extractions, ...)
Developing a microbial genomic analysis pipelines (processing short and long reads, genomic assembly, ...)
Graph-based approaches for metagenomic data analysis
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• Research for BSc thesis (Bachelorarbeit)
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• MSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Research for MSc thesis (Masterarbeit)
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• Other:
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Advanced Lab Course Bioinformatics
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Plant Biodiversity
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https://www.lss.ls.tum.de/en/biodiv/
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TUM - Campus Weihenstephan
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Plant biology Ecology
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Organismic biology Bioinformatics
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We study evolution and systematics of several plant groups including the gourd family (Cucurbitaceae) and legumes (Fabaceae). Another focus are island floras (Azores, Cabo Verde, St. Helena), invasive species and plant-pollinator or plant-frugivore interactions.
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PCR, DNA-Sequencing (Sanger, Nanopore, Illumina), eDNA, Phylogenetics and Phylogenomics, Distribution mapping of plants and birds, Pollinator surveys (direct, camera traps, eDNA)
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Analysis of evolutionary patterns and processes in plants (DNA extraction and sequencing, phylogenomic analyses) and historical biogeography; Pollinator surveys (incl. eDNA) and frugivore surveys (incl. camera traps).
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• BSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Research for BSc thesis (Bachelorarbeit)
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• MSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Research for MSc thesis (Masterarbeit)
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For Bachelor projects in the lab, successful participation in the "Grundkurs Molekulare Phylogenetik" is required.
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Infection Pathogenesis
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www.mls.ls.tum.de/ipat/
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TUM - Campus Weihenstephan
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Animal biology
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Molecular biology and physiology Organismic biology
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Our research area is the cellular basis of infection defense with a focus on parasitic pathogens. The research focuses on the immunology of soil-transmitted helminths, interactions between immune cells and intestinal pathogens, protective mechanisms to fight parasite infections, vaccine antigens, and immune evasion mechanisms. The goal is to better understand host-pathogen interactions and to develop new diagnostic, prophylactic and therapeutic approaches.
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Cell culture (cell lines and primary cells), Animal Tissue processing, Cell culture under biosafety level S2 conditions, Generation of clones from primary cells, Molecular and biochemical analyses (DNA/RNA/protein), Cell Transfection studies, gene editing of parasites, High-dimensional flow cytometry for phenotyping immune cell subsets, protein assays, metabolic activity methods
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Previous internship/Msc titles were: Effects of tumor-associated neutrophils (TANs) on colon polyps; Taenia Solium Cyst Vesicular Fluid Induces Apoptosis in Porcine Myeloid and Lymphoid Cells; Transfection and Expansion Optimization of Porcine CAR T Cells; Flotation techniques, parasite infection status, localization of anthelmintics, metabolic activity of L3 Ascaris suum;
Cell counting, single cell isolation techniques, and RNA isolation of A. suum;
Impact of cell culture conditions and stimulation on porcine tonsil cell cultures;
Generation of Ascaris suum lysate antigen, hatching and protein analysis;
Screening and parasitological examination of cattle fecal samples using mini-FLOTAC and PCR methods;
Tonsil/blood/LN impact of storage;
Absolute quantification of fecal bacteria using qPCR
Comparison of Skin isolation methods;
TUFT cell sorting and TUFT cell organoids;
Ascasis L3 staining and nucleus counting;
BugFACS establishment in a porcine ileitis model; Effects of Chemical Treatments on A. suum eggs combined with Single-egg DNA Extraction
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• Research for BSc thesis (Bachelorarbeit)
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• MSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Research for MSc thesis (Masterarbeit)
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Student-supervisor pairings are made upon initial contact and project-specific.
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Molecular Immunology
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https://www.imi.med.tum.de/de
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TUM - Klinikum rechts der Isar
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Other
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Immunology
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Molecular biology and physiology
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We are interested in the regulation of immune responses in tissues and how they contribute to disease processes
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Molecular Biology
animal models of disease
multimodal single cell analysis of immune cells in disease models and patient tissues
single cell RNAseq analysis and bioinformatics of transcriptional profiles characteristic of immune cell functions
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flow cytometry
animal models of disease
bioinformatics analysis of scRNAseq data
mass spectrometry imaging
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• BSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• MSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Research for MSc thesis (Masterarbeit)
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Open to students with experience in working in cell culture and/or animal models, ideally with some experience in immunology
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Restoration Ecology
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https://www.lss.ls.tum.de/roek/startseite/
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TUM - Campus Weihenstephan
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Plant biology Ecology
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Organismic biology Other
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Ecology
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The natural environment is undergoing rapid change due to land use changes, nutrient excess, invasive alien species and climate change. The associated negative impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem functions require new forms of nature conservation and renaturation. This is the central task of the Chair of Renaturation Ecology.
In addition to analysing vegetation ecological processes under the influence of different site and land use conditions, our research focuses on the importance of vegetation for ecosystem function. Our research projects concentrate on the vegetation dynamics of semi-natural and agriculturally used systems, invasive alien species, plant material for renaturation projects, and the effects of wetland renaturation on the production of climate-relevant trace gases. We combine population ecological, synecological, and ecosystem approaches.
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Mapping
Counting
Identifying species
Experimental ecology
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Quite different in many different projects:
Dykes
Riparian forest
Farmland
Golf courses
Urban grassland
etc.
Very different methods in each case: mapping, evaluation, species identification, field trials, greenhouse trials, etc.
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• BSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Research for BSc thesis (Bachelorarbeit)
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• MSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Research for MSc thesis (Masterarbeit)
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• Other:
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Projektarbeiten
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All research projects are supervised on an idividual basis and student-supervisor pairings are made after personal contact is are of course based on availability.
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Microbial Disease Prevention
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https://www.mls.ls.tum.de/en/pmd/home/
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TUM - Campus Weihenstephan
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Microbiology Biotechnology Ecology
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Molecular biology and physiology Bioinformatics
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1. Explore the human gut virome and it's impact in health and intestinal/ autoimmune disease.
2. Developing phage therapeutics against ESKAPE pathogens – We design and optimize bacteriophage-based therapies targeting multidrug-resistant ESKAPE pathogens, focusing on phage isolation, characterization, and cocktail formulation to enhance treatment efficacy.
3. Exploring bacteriophage–eukaryotic cell interactions to uncover novel therapies for multidrug-resistant respiratory infections and other human diseases.
4. Developing phage-based tools to manipulate the gut microbiome – We explore the use of phages to selectively modulate gut microbial communities under controlled anaerobic conditions, aiming to restore microbial balance and improve host health.
5. Developing bioinformatics tools for phage genome and metagenome characterization – We develop and apply computational tools and pipelines for viral genome annotation, functional profiling, and comparative analysis to advance understanding of phage diversity and function.
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1. Phage isolation, purification, characterization, host range determination, cocktail formulation
2. Cell and tissue culture, adult stem cell derived organoids, precision-cut lung slices, live cell imaging, qPCR, ELISA, immunofluorescence.
3. Phage characterization, Phage-FISH, high-resolution imaging, protein expression, interaction test and protein design
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1. Bacteriophage uptake and Intracellular Signaling in Lung Cells Using Organotypic Models / Bacteriophage-Mediated Immunomodulation in Lung Tissue Using Precision-Cut Lung Slices.
2. Developing phage therapeutics against ESKAPE pathogens
3. Developing phage-based tools to manipulate the gut microbiome
4. Developing bioinformatics tools for phage genome and metagenome characterization
5. AI-based antimicrobial drug detect from phage genome
6. in vitro and in vivo models of Multi-drug resistant bacteria remove effect
7. mechanisms of phage-encoded novel enzymes
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• BSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Research for BSc thesis (Bachelorarbeit)
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• MSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Supervised practical course (Übung; 3 weeks)
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• Research for MSc thesis (Masterarbeit)
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1. Recommendation letters from supervisors.
2. Collaborations in writing and novel small projects
3. Cell and tissue culture work takes place at the Helmholtz-Neuherberg campus.
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Root-Soil Interaction (2)
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https://www.mls.ls.tum.de/rsi/startseite/
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TUM - Campus Weihenstephan
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Plant biology
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Molecular biology and physiology
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1. Freshwater is one of the most vital environmental determinants of crop productivity. The availability of current and future freshwater is challenged by climate change and groundwater depletion, threatening global food security. Despite significant efforts being invested in developing water-saving crops, current research and practice indicate that breeding crops with reduced water use very often leads to trade-offs in growth and yield under non-drought conditions, which is clearly not compatible with the interests of farmers and breeders. A key unknown is whether plants are able to reduce water consumption without sacrificing growth.
2. Plants constantly face varying environmental conditions and should decide quickly to the changing environment for optimum water homeostasis. Transpiration control is the most effective strategy. The response of guard cells drives the regulation of transpiration to environmental stimuli, including sensing, signal transduction, osmoregulation, and turgor-mediated guard cell rigidity and flaccidity.
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Mutant screening, DNA Cloning, gas exchange, thermal imaging
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1. Identify genes related to stomatal aperture in response to CO2 and light.
2. Generate crop lines combining reduced water and enhanced WUE with uncompromised growth and productivity
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• Supervised practical course (Übung; 3 weeks)
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• Research for MSc thesis (Masterarbeit)
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All research projects are supervised on an individual basis, and student-supervisor pairings are made after personal contact (email) and based on availability.
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Root-Soil Interaction (1) Ecophysiology
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https://www.mls.ls.tum.de/rsi/startseite/
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TUM - Campus Weihenstephan
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Plant biology Ecology
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Molecular biology and physiology Other
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Ecophysiology
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Our research focuses on understanding how crops regulate water use under abiotic stress, with a
focus on belowground traits that influence drought resilience. We focus on identifying adaptive traits—such as root exudation, mycorrhizal symbiosis, and root structural plasticity—that mediate crop water use regulation. The ultimate aim is to quantify how these traits modulate hydraulic conductance and contribute to improving crop performance under abiotic stress.
We investigate how plant water use in crop and forest systems is regulated under complex environmental stress—specifically, atmospheric drought, heat, and soil drying. Using innovative in-situ monitoring tools, controlled and field experiments, and hydraulic as well as structural–functional modeling.
By bridging experimental and modeling approaches, and linking organ-level traits with ecosystem-scale processes, we aim to address food security, improve predictions of forest resilience, and refine models of terrestrial carbon, water, and energy fluxes, where stomatal regulation plays a central role in coupling land–atmosphere processes.
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• Soil Physical Methods:
Determination of soil textural and hydraulic properties using instruments such as PARIO and HYPROP.
• Plant Physiological Methods:
Monitoring of plant gas exchange using systems like the LI-COR LI-6800 Photosynthesis System and the LI-600 Porometer.
• Soil Sensors:
Tracking of soil water dynamics using technologies such as Time-Domain Reflectometry (TDR), tensiometers, and dielectric water potential sensors.
• Novel In-Situ Continuous Methods:
• Real-time monitoring of plant water relations using FylloClips for transpiration rate measurements and optical dendrometers for assessing leaf water potential dynamics.
• Soil-Plant Hydraulics: Determination of leaf water potential, soil water potential, transpiration rate during atmospheric and soil drought.
• Plant Physiological Methods: Monitoring of plant gas exchange using systems like the LI-COR LI-6800 Photosynthesis System and the LI-600 Porometer.
• Neutron Imaging: Tracking water fluxes from the soil into the root using neutron radiography.
• Micro computed tomography: visualizing and assessing functional structures of root-soil interface during drying and rewetting.
• Gas exchange analysis
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All the above mentioned methods.
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• BSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Research for BSc thesis (Bachelorarbeit)
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• MSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Supervised practical course (Übung; 3 weeks)
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• Research for MSc thesis (Masterarbeit)
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Experiments can include:
1. Mucilage: Compare cowpea genotypes with high vs. low mucilage production to quantify how exudation affects root–soil interface structure and function during drying.
2. Mycorrhizal Symbiosis: Using rmc mutants and wild-type tomato genotypes to examine AMF effects root–soil contact and plant water status during drying.
3. Root Shrinkage: Test the hypothesis that soil drying causes loss of hydraulic contact due to root shrinkage. Root diameter and rehydration dynamics will be linked to leaf water potential recovery using micro-CT and neutron imaging.
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Nutrition and Immunology
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https://www.mls.ls.tum.de/en/nutrim/home/
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TUM - Campus Weihenstephan
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Animal biology Microbiology
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Molecular biology and physiology
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Nutrition and Microbiome: Microbial communities in the gut play an important role in the pathogenesis of chronic diseases and diet influences the composition and activity of commensal gut microbes. Prospective human studies help to identify risk signatures for chronic diseases and enable us to specify the role of food in shaping the gut microbiome.
Inflammation and Cancer: Functional changes in the gut microbiome are causally involved in the pathogenesis of chronic intestinal diseases. The intestinal epithelium as a barrier and communication organ is at the center of our research activities to elucidate the impact of microbe-host interactions in regulation tissue injury, inflammation and tumorigenesis.
Prevention and Therapy: Stress signaling and metabolic changes in intestinal epithelial cells affect gut barrier integrity and tissue regeneration. ER stress and mitochondrial function influence the pathogenesis of inflammatory and tumorigenesis in the gut. Microbiome-related therapies and nutritional strategies to modulate the function of commensal gut microbes are being investigated in inflammatory bowel diseases and colorectal cancer.
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Molecular biology techniques such as PCR, RT-PCR, cloning, DNA isolation, cloning techniques, ELISA and western blot
Cell culture techniques, working with organoids, flow cytometry, microscopy, and histology
Microbiological techniques such as isolating bacteria, preparing aerobic and anaerobic bacterial cultures
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Various topics with various techniques from ongoing projects currently being worked on at the Chair.
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• BSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Research for BSc thesis (Bachelorarbeit)
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• MSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Research for MSc thesis (Masterarbeit)
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Various topics supervised on individual basis by a postdoc or PhD-student. Selection according to qualification, suitability, and vacancies.
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Biotechnology of Horticultural Crops
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https://www.mls.ls.tum.de/en/bgk/
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TUM - Campus Weihenstephan
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Plant biology
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Molecular biology and physiology
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Brassinosteroids (BRs) are steroid hormones that plants synthesize to regulate grow and development, and adapt to their surroundings. They promote cell elongation, guide many developmental processes, and confer plants resistance against different types of stress - both environmental (like heat or cold) and biological (such as attacks from fungal pathogens).
Our research focuses on understanding how BRs control plant growth and help plants cope with these challenges. We study what regulates the amount of BRs in plants, how BR signals are transmitted inside cells, and how BRs interact with other hormones, including gibberellins, abscisic acid, and salicylic acid.
We use both model plants, like Arabidopsis thaliana, and crops, such as Helianthus annuus (sunflower), to uncover the molecular and biochemical mechanisms behind these processes.
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Plant growth phenotyping
Hormone response assays
Heat stress assay
Fungal infection assay
DNA & RNA extraction & purification
PCR, qPCR
Protein-protein interaction analyses
SDS page, Western blotting
Molecular cloning
Plant transformation
Plant genotyping
Histological analyses
Light & fluorescence microscopy
Sequence analyses
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Analyses of heat stress responses in model plants (Arabidopsis) and crops (sunflower); Investigating molecular modes of resistance against microbial pathogens (Hyaloperonospora, Pseudomonas, Sclerotinia); assessing the effects of beneficial soil microbes on disease resistance; isolating reduced height lines of sunflower and investigate the molecular basis of their phenotypes and effects on yield and disease resistance
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• Research for BSc thesis (Bachelorarbeit)
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• MSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
|
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• Supervised practical course (Übung; 3 weeks)
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• Research for MSc thesis (Masterarbeit)
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All research projects and thesis are supervised individually. To apply, please send your CV, transcript of records and short motivation statement to Prof. Brigitte Poppenberger.
For practical courses (Übungen) please sign up via TUM online.
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TUM Research Center Weihenstephan for Brewing and Food Quality
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www.blq-weihenstephan.de
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TUM - Campus Weihenstephan
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Other
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Brewing and Food Quality
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Other
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Beverage biotechnology, including raw materials
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The continuous changes in consumer behavior, raw material availability and quality, as well as product requirements, constantly confront the food and beverage industry with challenges whose sustainable solutions demand well-founded, cause-oriented research. In addition to providing consulting, product development, and routine analytical services for the industry, we serve as a core facility of TUM and conduct intensive research on (1) understanding the molecular composition and functional properties of brewing cereals - particularly barley - in the context of their processability, and (2) elucidating the genotype-dependent metabolism of microorganisms - especially yeasts - in the context of food preservation and contamination.
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PCR, Real-time PCR, Nanopore Sequencing, MALDI-TOF, GPC, LC-MS/MS, GC, HPLC, ICP-MS
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- Crops starch characterization (quantification, particle size distribution, amylose/amylopection ratio)
- Crops non-starch polysaccharide characterization (beta-Glucan content and molecular size distribution, arabinoxylan content and molecular size distribution
- Crops protein quantification
- Crop malt enzyme activity assays (amylases, beta-glucanases, proteinases etc.)
- Classic microbiology, Microscopy
- Precise fermentation
- PCR, Real-time PCR, Nanopore Sequencing
- Genome analysis (Bioinformatic tools)
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• BSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
|
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• Research for BSc thesis (Bachelorarbeit)
|
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• MSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
|
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• Research for MSc thesis (Masterarbeit)
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• Other:
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Diplom-Braumeister thesis
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Soil Science
|
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https://www.lss.ls.tum.de/en/boku/
|
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TUM - Campus Weihenstephan
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Other
|
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Soil Biogeochemistry
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Other
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Biogeochemistry and interdisciplinary soil system science approaches
|
Soils represent the largest terrestrial reservoir of carbon. Beyond carbon storage, they play a central role in regulating biogeochemical cycles and supporting key ecosystem functions, many of which are increasingly impacted by global change.
Soil organic matter is a fundamental indicator of soil health. At the Chair of Soil Science, we investigate how soil organic matter influences ecosystem-relevant soil functions. Our research spans from the dynamics and stabilization of soil organic matter at the microbial scale to its interactions with environmental change and sustainable land management practices.
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- Soil fractionation approaches to separate soil organic matter into functional pools (e.g., particulate organic matter, mineral-associated organic matter) or different aggregates (e.g., macroaggregates and microaggregates).
- Isotopic labeling to track carbon and nitrogen dynamics in soil systems.
- Spectroscopy approaches to characterize the composition of soil organic matter
- Microspectrometry approaches to analyze spatial patterns of key organic and mineral soil components
- AI-based image analysis workflows of spatial patterns at microbial scale
- Wet-chemical extractions to determine bulk soil properties
- Multidisciplinary approaches together with collaboration partners at the TUM School of Life Sciences
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- Characterization of soil properties, soil organic matter storage and dynamics
- Investigate the relationship of ecosystem-relevan soil functions with soil organic matter
- Imaging of organo-mineral interactions in environmental samples
- AI-based data mining approaches
- Determine how environmental changes (land use change or global change factors) affect soil health
- The role of soils in sustainable land management
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• BSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
|
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• Research for BSc thesis (Bachelorarbeit)
|
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• MSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
|
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• Supervised practical course (Übung; 3 weeks)
|
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• Research for MSc thesis (Masterarbeit)
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Students are warmly invited to actively participate in ongoing research projects at the Chair of Soil Science. Depending on their interests and project focus, they can contribute to cutting-edge investigations in soil organic matter dynamics, microbial-scale processes, and sustainable land use. This offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience with advanced analytical techniques and to engage with current scientific questions in soil science.
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Crop Physiology
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https://www.mls.ls.tum.de/cropphys/startseite/
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TUM - Campus Weihenstephan
|
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Plant biology Ecology
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Agrobiology and -biotechnology Other
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Agroecosystem science
|
Nutrient use efficiency of different agricultural and horticultural food crops:
Meet the crop specific plant mineral nutrient demand by adequate nutrient supply and minimizing nutrient losses into other ecosystems.
Evaluate the role of soil properties and fertilizer type (mineral, organic or recycling product based) in nutrient availability.
Nutrients in focus: phosphorus, potassium, nitrogen, sulfur, zinc, manganese, boron.
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- plant mineral nutrient total content analyses
- extractable minerals (i.e. nitrate, sulfate chloride) and primary metabolites (i.e. sugars, organic acids, total osmotic substances)
- extractable and total nutrient soil analyses
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-Agronomic effects of different long-term P fertilizer application and liming (in 2026 sugar beet)
- Long-term efficacy of P from mineral compared to organic fertilizers (in 2026 sun flower)
- Effect of K supply on water use efficiency, yield, and plant mineral composition in naturally K deficient soils (in 2026 sun flower)
-Micronutrient (Zn, B) fertilizer application in field – reactions of plants at heterogeneous sites (in 2026 maize and rape seed)
- Municipal sewage sludge recycling products as P fertilizers – challenges in an uncertain future (pot experiments)
Main techniques taught:
Soil and plant extractions, total microwave based digestions, VIS UV spectroscopy, ICP mass spectroscopy, quick test reflectance spectrometry, light microscopy, non-destructive proximal sensing
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• Research for BSc thesis (Bachelorarbeit)
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• Research for MSc thesis (Masterarbeit)
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• Other:
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Research Projects semester-long of 5 to 10 credits value
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All research projects and theses are supervised on individual basis. Interested students may contact us via email or in person.
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Crop Physiology / Nutrients in the agroecosystem
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https://www.mls.ls.tum.de/cropphys/startseite/
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TUM - Campus Weihenstephan
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Plant biology Ecology
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Agrobiology and -biotechnology Other
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Agroecosystem science
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Nutrient use efficiency of different agricultural and horticultural food crops:
Meet the crop specific plant mineral nutrient demand by adequate nutrient supply and minimizing nutrient losses into other ecosystems.
Evaluate the role of soil properties and fertilizer type (mineral, organic or recycling product based) in nutrient availability.
Nutrients in focus: phosphorus, potassium, nitrogen, sulfur, zinc, manganese, boron.
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- plant mineral nutrient total content analyses
- extractable minerals (i.e. nitrate, sulfate chloride) and primary metabolites (i.e. sugars, organic acids, total osmotic substances)
- extractable and total nutrient soil analyses
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-Agronomic effects of different long-term P fertilizer application and liming (in 2026 sugar beet)
- Long-term efficacy of P from mineral compared to organic fertilizers (in 2026 sun flower)
- Effect of K supply on water use efficiency, yield, and plant mineral composition in naturally K deficient soils (in 2026 sun flower)
-Micronutrient (Zn, B) fertilizer application in field – reactions of plants at heterogeneous sites (in 2026 maize and rape seed)
- Municipal sewage sludge recycling products as P fertilizers – challenges in an uncertain future (pot experiments)
Main techniques taught:
Soil and plant extractions, total microwave based digestions, VIS UV spectroscopy, ICP mass spectroscopy, quick test reflectance spectrometry, light microscopy, non-destructive proximal sensing
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• Research for BSc thesis (Bachelorarbeit)
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• Research for MSc thesis (Masterarbeit)
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• Other:
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Research Projects semester-long of 5 to 10 credits value
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All research projects and theses are supervised on individual basis. Interested students may contact us via email or in person.
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Plant Breeding
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https://www.mls.ls.tum.de/en/plantbreeding/home/
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TUM - Campus Weihenstephan
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Plant biology
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Molecular biology and physiology Bioinformatics Agrobiology and -biotechnology
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Plant breeding plays a central role in ensuring sustainable agriculture and food security under climate change. At our Chair, we study how genetic diversity influences important traits in crops such as yield, stress tolerance, and quality. Using modern tools like QTL mapping, genome-wide association studies, and molecular markers, we identify the genetic basis of these complex traits. We then validate candidate genes through biotechnology, biochemistry, and plant physiology to understand their function and translate this knowledge into improved breeding strategies.
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Molecular genotyping (PCR, DNA sequencing, KASP markers)
Plant physiological measurements (photosynthesis traits, water use efficiency)
Biochemical assays (plant stress markers)
Bioinformatics
Functional genomics (RNA-seq, proteomics)
Quantitative genetics (QTL mapping, GWAS)
Genomic prediction
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Practical projects at our Chair span two directions. In the bioinformatics and statistics area, students may work on QTL mapping or GWAS to identify genetic loci, test the accuracy of genomic prediction models, or analyse transcriptome datasets to discover candidate genes. In the molecular and plant physiology area, students may study photosynthesis and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters (e.g. Fv/Fm, NPQ), investigate water-use efficiency (including quantification of biochemical stress markers such as H₂O₂ or MDA), or evaluate growth and yield traits of maize mutants in greenhouse trials.
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• BSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Research for BSc thesis (Bachelorarbeit)
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• MSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Research for MSc thesis (Masterarbeit)
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All research projects are supervised on an individual basis, and student-supervisor pairings are made after personal contact ( studaffairs.plantbreeding@ls.tum.de) and based on personal interests and availability.
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Integrated Organoid Systems
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https://www.cos.tum.de/en/cos/research/dowbaj-lab/
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TUM - Campus Garching
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Animal biology
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Molecular biology and physiology Organismic biology
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Liver aging, Liver regeneration, Complex Organoid Systems, Liver disease
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Organoid culture, Primary cell culture, qRT-PCR and gene expression analysis, microscopy, immunofluorescence staining
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Media testing and downstream analysis (qRT-PCR, IF) of organoid and primary cell cultures, tissue section staining and analysis
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• BSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Research for BSc thesis (Bachelorarbeit)
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• MSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Research for MSc thesis (Masterarbeit)
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The lab is currently full until mid-2027. We will start accepting new students from June-July 2027. Please contact us from February 2027.
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Analytical Food Chemistry
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https://www.lse.ls.tum.de/alchem/startseite/
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TUM - Campus Weihenstephan
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Other
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Analytical Food Chemistry
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Other
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Analytical Food Chemistry
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trace analysis of food components
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LC-MS/MS
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sample preparation for LC-MS/MS
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• MSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Research for MSc thesis (Masterarbeit)
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we require at least basic knowledge in chemical analytical lab work and HPLC usage
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Analytical Food Chemistry
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https://www.lse.ls.tum.de/alchem/startseite/
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TUM - Campus Weihenstephan
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Other
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Analytical Food Chemistry
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Other
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Analytical Food Chemistry
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trace analysis of food components
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LC-MS/MS
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sample preparation for LC-MS/MS
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• MSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Research for MSc thesis (Masterarbeit)
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we require at least basic knowledge in chemical analytical lab work and HPLC usage
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Plant Systems Biology
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https://www.mls.ls.tum.de/en/plasysbio/working-group-dr-francesca-bellinazzo/
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TUM - Campus Weihenstephan
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Plant biology
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Molecular biology and physiology Agrobiology and -biotechnology
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During the domestication process, crop species have acquired specific traits that are beneficial for agricutlure in terms of yield maximisation, synchronization and ease of handling, as well as adaptation to growth conditions and the environment. Currently, agricultural systems are adapting to the challenging demands of a growing world population on one hand, and a changing climate on the other.
It derives that the new crop varieties should maintain maximal yields in various gowth conditions.
Our research focuses on the investigation of key crop domestication traits which are related to plant architecture and development, with a strong focus on RSA (Root System Architecture) and other root traits such as root hairs. We use lettuce (Lactuca sativa) as a model crop for the Asteraceae family and the whole of dicots.
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Plant growth and handling, DNA and RNA isolation, PCR and RT-qPCR, genotyping, cloning, CRISPR-mediated genome editing, tissue culture, plant imaging and phenotyping.
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Analysis of root traits in genome edited plants (genotyping + phenotyping), generation of mutant lines (guide design, cloning, plant transformation and tissue culture).
Generation of biparental populations for forward genetic studies (plant growth, crossing, seed harvest) and their analysis (RT-qPCR, high-throughput phenotyping, amplicon sequencing).
Temperature-dependent germination of lettuce wild type and mutant lines (germination assays, hormone treatment, image analysis and quantification, RT-qPCR).
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• BSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Research for BSc thesis (Bachelorarbeit)
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• MSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Research for MSc thesis (Masterarbeit)
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All research projects are supervised on an individual basis, upon agreement based on availability.
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Chair for Agricultural Systems Engineering
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https://www.lse.ls.tum.de/ast/startseite/
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TUM - Campus Weihenstephan
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Other
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Systems Engineering
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Other
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Multidisciplinary and technology focused
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The research focus is from plant production engineering, logistics, smart farming, energy management systems, AgriPV, integrated Plantprotection, AI-based modelling and monetoring to animal husbandry.
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We mostly use various sensor systems, depending on the use case.
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- Autonomous Irrigation Technology in
Field Trials
- Soil Types in Europe and Their Impact on the Tractive Effort Required for Tillage
- Developing a Infection forecast modell in hops
- Developing a harvest forecast modell in hops
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• BSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Research for BSc thesis (Bachelorarbeit)
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• MSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Research for MSc thesis (Masterarbeit)
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All research projects are supervised individually.
Most topics, belong to ongoing research projects. We also love our students to integrate them actively.
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Soil Science
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https://www.lss.ls.tum.de/en/boku/
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TUM - Campus Weihenstephan
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Other
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Soil Biogeochemistry
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Other
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Biogeochemistry and interdisciplinary soil system science approaches
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Soils represent the largest terrestrial reservoir of carbon. Beyond carbon storage, they play a central role in regulating biogeochemical cycles and supporting key ecosystem functions, many of which are increasingly impacted by global change.
Soil organic matter is a fundamental indicator of soil health. At the Chair of Soil Science, we investigate how soil organic matter influences ecosystem-relevant soil functions. Our research spans from the dynamics and stabilization of soil organic matter at the microbial scale to its interactions with environmental change and sustainable land management practices.
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- Soil fractionation approaches to separate soil organic matter into functional pools (e.g., particulate organic matter, mineral-associated organic matter) or different aggregates (e.g., macroaggregates and microaggregates).
- Isotopic labeling to track carbon and nitrogen dynamics in soil systems.
- Spectroscopy approaches to characterize the composition of soil organic matter
- Microspectrometry approaches to analyze spatial patterns of key organic and mineral soil components
- AI-based image analysis workflows of spatial patterns at microbial scale
- Wet-chemical extractions to determine bulk soil properties
- Multidisciplinary approaches together with collaboration partners at the TUM School of Life Sciences
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- Characterization of soil properties, soil organic matter storage and dynamics
- Investigate the relationship of ecosystem-relevan soil functions with soil organic matter
- Imaging of organo-mineral interactions in environmental samples
- AI-based data mining approaches
- Determine how environmental changes (land use change or global change factors) affect soil health
- The role of soils in sustainable land management
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• BSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Research for BSc thesis (Bachelorarbeit)
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• MSc laboratory internship (Forschungspraktikum; 6 weeks)
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• Supervised practical course (Übung; 3 weeks)
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• Research for MSc thesis (Masterarbeit)
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Students are warmly invited to actively participate in ongoing research projects at the Chair of Soil Science. Depending on their interests and project focus, they can contribute to cutting-edge investigations in soil organic matter dynamics, microbial-scale processes, and sustainable land use. This offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience with advanced analytical techniques and to engage with current scientific questions in soil science.
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