Helmholtz Munich Partners in four Clusters of Excellence
Helmholtz Munich is a partner in four Clusters of Excellence selected for funding under the Excellence Strategy of the German federal and state governments. The projects, each granted a seven-year term, were announced by the German Research Foundation (DFG).
The awarded research consortia involving Helmholtz Munich include:
- NUCLEATE – Cluster for Nucleic Acid Research and Technologies,
- SyNergy – Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology,
- LeiCeM – Leipzig Center of Metabolism,
- Biosystem-Design München (BioSysteM)
Scientific Excellence through Strategic Collaboration
Helmholtz Munich’s participation in these clusters marks a significant achievement and highlights the highly successful collaboration with the excellent partners in the Munich area and with the strategic partners at the Helmholtz Institute HI-MAG in Leipzig.
NUCLEATE: Advancing Innovation in Nucleic Acid Research
The NUCLEATE cluster brings together interdisciplinary researchers to explore fundamental questions surrounding the structure, function, and modification of nucleic acids, while also developing novel technologies for medical applications. Helmholtz Munich plays a pivotal role through its leading expertise in RNA research. The lead applicant institutions include the Technical University of Munich (TUM), Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU), and the University of Würzburg. Additional partners are the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry and the Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research.
SyNergy: Systems Neurology Driving New Therapies
The SyNergy Cluster, now renewed for another term, adopts a systems medicine approach to tackle complex neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, and stroke. Working in close cooperation with TUM, LMU, the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), and multiple Max Planck Institutes, Helmholtz Munich contributes substantial expertise in neuroimmunology and cellular disease mechanisms.
LeiCeM: Redefining Metabolic Medicine
With the newly awarded Leipzig Center of Metabolism (LeiCeM), Helmholtz Munich joins a Cluster of Excellence coordinated in Leipzig for the first time. The Helmholtz Institute for Metabolism, Obesity and Vascular Research (HI-MAG) plays a central role in this effort. The goal of LeiCeM is to develop innovative diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for prevalent metabolic diseases such as obesity and type 2 diabetes, with a special emphasis on sex-specific and psychosocial determinants.
BioSysteM: rethinking biology
BioSysteM seeks to design biological systems using engineering principles – and thus create new insights into the fundamental principles of life and pathways to innovative practical applications.
Momentum for Translation and Next-Generation Talent
Participation in the Clusters of Excellence will not only foster research at the highest international level, but also support early-career scientists, expand interdisciplinary research infrastructures, and accelerate the translation of scientific discoveries into clinical applications.