Breakthrough: TUM maps protein–DNA interactions in vivo
The team at TUM led by Prof. Bernhard Küster, a member of the Board of Directors of the Center for Infection Prevention (ZIP), has developed a method that photochemically links direct protein–DNA interactions in living cells and makes them detectable.
The approach combines LED black light with a synthetic DNA building block that cells incorporate into their genome. Upon light activation, DNA-binding proteins are chemically crosslinked to DNA and captured in their native context. The method opens up new possibilities to systematically measure the effects of chemotherapeutics and epigenetic agents on DNA binding.
The corresponding TUM announcement can be found on the website of the TUM School of Life Sciences (Link). The paper has been published in the current issue of Cell (Link).
ImmunoChick 2.0: Research on Food security, public health, and animal welfare enters into second funding phase
The ImmunoChick project is dedicated to fundamental questions concerning the chicken immune system – with high relevance for both animal and human health. The combination of unique expertise, globally unparalleled genetically modified chicken models, established infection systems, and cutting-edge immunological methods enables groundbreaking insights into the avian immune system. The project continues to receive funding from the German Research Foundation (DFG).
Among the project partners are Prof. Dr. vet. Benjamin Schusser, member of the ZIP Board of Directors, and Dr. Theresa von Heyl from his chair.
The full article and additional links can be found in the latest news section on the website of the World Agricultural Systems Center (Hans Eisenmann Forum für Agrarwissenschaften).
ZIP congratulates: Prof. Benjamin Schusser awarded the Felix Wankel Animal Welfare Research Prize 2025
The Felix Wankel Animal Welfare Research Prize of LMU has been awarded 2025 to the research team led by Prof. Christine Baumgartner, PD Dr. Thomas Fenzl, and Prof. Benjamin Schusser (TUM) for their groundbreaking work on pain perception in chicken embryos. The interdisciplinary study had a direct impact on animal welfare legislation in Germany. Link to LMU’s announcement.
The Felix Wankel Animal Welfare Research Prize is awarded every two years by LMU Munich. It honors outstanding scientific work that contributes to the replacement or reduction of animal testing and strengthens animal welfare. The prize is endowed with up to €30,000 and recognizes innovative research with particular relevance to animal protection.
ZIP congratulates: Prof. Bernhard Küster honored for pioneering achievements in proteomics
Prof. Dr. Bernhard Küster, a member of the Board of Directors at the Center for Infection Prevention (ZIP) at the Technical University of Munich, has been awarded the 2025 Karger Medal for outstanding achievements in bioanalytical chemistry. The award ceremony took place at the Barnett Institute of Chemical and Biological Analysis in Boston, a leading center of excellence for biopharmaceutical characterization, proteomics, and systems biology.
Prof. Küster was recognized for his pioneering contributions to proteome research and their significant impact on drug development and pharmacology. Press here for the article.
When the immune system plans ahead
Even during mild infections, the body prepares for the worst. Read more about the Nature publication by Dietmar Zehn and his team in the news article on the TUM website.
The original publication can be found here:
Chu, T., Wu, M., Hoellbacher, B. et al.: Precursors of exhausted T cells are pre-emptively formed in acute infection. Nature (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-024-08451-4.
Dietmar Zehn is a member of the TUM School of Life Sciences and Executive Director of the Center for Infection Prevention (ZIP).
New ZIP building progressing according to plan
Steady progress at the ZIP building. Almost all major construction work on the ZIP has now been commissioned.
The work on the external structure is nearly complete. Inside, the structure is also taking more and more shape. At the same time, the expansion of the laboratory areas is also proceeding according to schedule. In the meantime, the terrain modelling has also begun in the outdoor area.
Click here for the latest Update on the construction progress at ZIP.
Inspection of the construction site
The planning team visited the construction site on 21.03.2024 and inspected the future laboratory and office space.
Workshop Discussion in the Bavarian State Parliament
ZIP Directors Dietmar Zehn, Percy Knolle and Li Deng took part in the expert panel at the workshop discussion on the fight against multi-resistant germs in the Bavarian State Parliament on February 9, 2024.
ImmunOctoberfest 2024 - Registration is now open!
At the TUM Study Center Raitenhaslach we host our second ImmunOctoberfest from 22. - 27.09.2024. Information and Registration details can be found here.
Abstract submission deadline is April 17th 2024.
Press Release in Süddeutsche Zeitung 17.10.2023
The ZIP was mentioned in a recent press release in the Süddeutsche Zeitung, Freising division. Please find the online version of the article here.
Immunoctoberfest - Minisymposium 2023
At Klinikum München Rechts der Isar, we invite you to attend the mini-symposium "Spatial and Temporal Assessment of Immune Cell Dynamics" on Sept 21st, 2023.
The Laying of the foundation stone for the new research building 2023
The Laying of the foundation stone for the new research building funded by the Science Ministry of the Freistaat Bayern took place on July 11th, 2023.