NUCLEATE

Cluster for Nucleic Acid Sciences and Technologies

About us

NUCLEATE Cluster unites researchers in RNA and DNA biology, gene regulation, structural and chemical biology, bioengineering, computation and translational medicine.

Our mission: advancing the full spectrum of nucleic acid research, from fundamental mechanisms to next generation nucleic acid based therapeutics.

This video was created using AI.
This video was created using AI.

History & Structure

In 2025, NUCLEATE was successfully approved as one of the newly funded Clusters of Excellence under Germany’s Excellence Strategy. The cluster is jointly coordinated by three universities: Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU), Technical University of Munich (TUM), and Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg (JMU), with LMU as lead. It partners with Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research, Helmholtz Munich, and the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry. A defining strength of NUCLEATE is its highly interdisciplinary structure.

 

Research & Focus

NUCLEATE pursues a systematic and innovative approach to nucleic acid research. The aim is to study RNA and DNA molecules not only in their classic role as information storage devices, but also as active regulators and tools. The focus is on three perspectives: nucleic acids as subjects (active molecular actors), as objects (targets of biological regulation), and as tools (basis for therapeutic or technological applications). This conceptual tripartite division allows for a novel structuring of research approaches within the cluster.
More about Research

Future & Talent

NUCLEATE is more than a scientific initiative; it represents a long-term investment in the research ecosystem. By establishing new professorships, junior research groups, and a joint inter-university master’s program, it creates a sustainable framework linking three institutions. Early-career researchers work in a collaborative, interdisciplinary environment with access to advanced technologies. The aim is to become a leading European center for nucleic acid research, strengthening scientific excellence, innovation, and international visibility in Germany and beyond.

 

2026

Start of Funding

7

Years per Funding Phase (Excellence Strategy)

3

Universities: LMU München, TU Munich & JMU Würzburg

6

Institutions in the Munich-Würzburg Network

Initiation & Strategic Leadership

Speakers

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Principal Investigator
Speaker
Steering Committee

Prof. Dr.

Veit Hornung

Chair of Immunobiochemistry, Gene Center and Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy

Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München

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Principal Investigator
Speaker
Steering Committee

Prof. Dr. Dr.

Stefan Engelhardt

Chair of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Director
Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology
TUM School of Medicine and Health

Technische Universität München

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Principal Investigator
Speaker
Steering Committee

Prof. Dr.

Cynthia Sharma

Chair of Molecular Infection Biology II, Institute of Molecular Infection Biology, Faculty of Medicine

Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg

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“NUCLEATE reflects our shared ambition to drive fundamental research and unite disciplines in building an internationally leading center for nucleic acid science and technologies.”

Prof. Dr. Veit Hornung

Coordination & Scientific Overview

Steering Committee

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Principal Investigator
Speaker
Steering Committee

Prof. Dr. Dr.

Stefan Engelhardt

Chair of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Director
Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology
TUM School of Medicine and Health

Technische Universität München

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B3
Principal Investigator
Steering Committee

Prof. Dr.

Karl-Peter Hopfner

Chair of Biochemistry, Gene Center and Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy

Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München

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Principal Investigator
Speaker
Steering Committee

Prof. Dr.

Veit Hornung

Chair of Immunobiochemistry, Gene Center and Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy

Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München

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B3
Principal Investigator
Steering Committee

Prof. Dr.

Caroline Kisker

Chair of Structural Biology, Rudolf-Virchow-Zentrum, Center for Integrative and Translational Bioimaging and Faculty of Medicine

Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg

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Principal Investigator
Steering Committee

Prof. Dr.

Michael Sattler

Chair of Biomolecular NMR-Spectroscopy, Director, Institute of Structural Biology and Bavarian NMR Center, Department of Bioscience, TUM School of Natural Sciences, Head of Helmholtz Molecular Targets & Therapeutics Center

Technische Universität München und Helmholtz Munich

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Principal Investigator
Speaker
Steering Committee

Prof. Dr.

Cynthia Sharma

Chair of Molecular Infection Biology II, Institute of Molecular Infection Biology, Faculty of Medicine

Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg

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“With NUCLEATE, we are empowering the next generation of nucleic acid scientists.”

Prof. Dr. Cynthia Sharma

Research & Scientific Excellence

Investigators

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Principal Investigator

Prof. Dr.

Roland Beckmann

Chair of Cellular Biochemistry, Gene Center and Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy

Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München

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Affiliated Group

Dr.

Irene Beusch

Research Group Leader "RNA Splicing Mechanisms", Institute of Molecular Infection Biology, Faculty of Medicine

Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg

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Affiliated Group

Dr.

Jonathan Bohlen

Research Group Leader "mRNA Translation in Human Immunity", Gene Center and Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy

Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München

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Associated Investigator

Prof. Dr.

John Briggs

Director Department Cell and Virus Structure

Max-Planck-Institut für Biochemie

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Associated Investigator

Prof. Dr.

Alena Buyx

Chair of Ethics in Medicine and Health Technologies, Institute of History and Ethics in Medicine, TUM School of Medicine and Health

Technische Universität München

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Principal Investigator

Prof. Dr.

Thomas Carell

Chair of Organic Chemistry, Institute of Chemical Epigenetics and Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy

Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München

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Associated Investigator

Prof. Dr.

Maria Colomé-Tatché

Biomedical Center and Department Physiological Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine

Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München

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Principal Investigator

Prof. Dr.

Elena Conti

Director Department Structural Cell Biology

Max-Planck-Institut für Biochemie

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Principal Investigator

Prof. Dr.

Carina de Oliveira Mann

Professor of Biomolecular Cryo-Electron Microscopy, Center for Functional Protein Assemblies, TUM School of Natural Sciences

Technische Universität München

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Principal Investigator
Speaker
Steering Committee

Prof. Dr. Dr.

Stefan Engelhardt

Chair of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Director
Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology
TUM School of Medicine and Health

Technische Universität München

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Associated Investigator

Prof. Dr.

Franziska Faber

Professor for Microbial Interactions, Institute for Hygiene and Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine

Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg

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Principal Investigator

Prof. Dr.

Utz Fischer

Chair of Biochemistry I, Theodor Boveri Institute, Biocenter, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy

Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg

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Associated Investigator

Prof. Dr.

Julian Grünewald

Professor of Gene Editing, TUM Center for Organoid Systems and Klinik und Poliklinik für Innere Medizin I, TUM School of Medicine and Health

TUM Universitätsklinikum

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Associated Investigator

Prof. Dr.

Christian Häring

Chair of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Theodor Boveri Institute, Biocenter, Faculty of Medicine

Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg

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Associated Investigator

Prof. Dr.

Vigo Heissmeyer

Biomedical Center and Institute for Immunology, Faculty of Medicine

Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München

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Principal Investigator

Prof. Dr.

Claudia Höbartner

Chair of Organic Chemistry I, Institute of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy

Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg

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B3
Principal Investigator
Steering Committee

Prof. Dr.

Karl-Peter Hopfner

Chair of Biochemistry, Gene Center and Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy

Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München

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A3
Principal Investigator
Speaker
Steering Committee

Prof. Dr.

Veit Hornung

Chair of Immunobiochemistry, Gene Center and Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy

Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München

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Principal Investigator

Prof. Dr.

Sarah Kim-Hellmuth

Independent Research Group Leader, Department of Pediatrics and Institute of Translational Genomics

Klinikum der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München and Helmholtz Zentrum München

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B3
Principal Investigator
Steering Committee

Prof. Dr.

Caroline Kisker

Chair of Structural Biology, Rudolf-Virchow-Zentrum, Center for Integrative and Translational Bioimaging and Faculty of Medicine

Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg

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Associated Investigator

Prof. Dr.

Julian König

Chair of Biochemistry and RNA Biology, Theodor Boveri Institute, Biocenter, Faculty of Medicine

Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg

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Principal Investigator

Prof. Dr.

Andreas Ladurner

Chair of Physiological Chemistry, Biomedical Center, Faculty of Medicine

Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München

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Principal Investigator

Prof. Dr.

Lars Maegdefessel

Chair of Molecular Vascular Medicine, Director, Institute of Molecular Vascular Medicine, TUM School of Medicine and Health

TUM Universitätsklinikum

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Associated Investigator

Prof. Dr.

Annalisa Marsico

Research group leader, Institute of Computational Biology, Computational Health Center

Helmholtz Zentrum München

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Associated Investigator

Prof. Dr.

Steffen Massberg

Department of Medicine I, Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik I

Klinikum der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München

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Principal Investigator

Prof. Dr.

Olivia Merkel

Chair of Drug Delivery, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy

Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München

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Principal Investigator

Prof. Dr.

Alessandra Moretti

Chair of Regenerative Medicine in Cardiovascular Disease, Klinik und Poliklinik für Innere Medizin I, TUM School of Medicine and Health

TUM Universitätsklinikum

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Principal Investigator

Prof. Dr.

Andreas Pichlmair

Professor of Viral Immunopathology, Institute of Virology, TUM School of Medicine and Health

Technische Universität München

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Principal Investigator

Prof. Dr.

Ulrike Protzer

Chair of Virology, Director, Institute of Virology, TUM School of Medicine and Health

Technische Universität München

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Principal Investigator

Prof. Dr.

Roland Rad

Chair of Molecular Oncology and Functional Genomics, Director, Institute of Molecular Oncology and Functional Genomics, TUM School of Medicine and Health

TUM Universitätsklinikum

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Associated Investigator

Prof. Dr.

Andrea Rentmeister

Chair of Organic and Biological Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy

Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München

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Associated Investigator

Prof. Dr.

Emmanuel Saliba

Professor Single Cell Analysis, Institute of Molecular Infection Biology, Faculty of Medicine and Group Leader, Helmholtz Institute of RNA-based Infection Research (HIRI)

Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg and Helmholtz Institut für RNA-basierte Infektionsforschung (HIRI)

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Principal Investigator
Steering Committee

Prof. Dr.

Michael Sattler

Chair of Biomolecular NMR-Spectroscopy, Director, Institute of Structural Biology and Bavarian NMR Center, Department of Bioscience, TUM School of Natural Sciences, Head of Helmholtz Molecular Targets & Therapeutics Center

Technische Universität München und Helmholtz Munich

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C2
Principal Investigator
Speaker
Steering Committee

Prof. Dr.

Cynthia Sharma

Chair of Molecular Infection Biology II, Institute of Molecular Infection Biology, Faculty of Medicine

Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg

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Associated Investigator

Prof. Dr.

Nicolai Siegel

Biomedical Center and Department of Physiological Chemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine

Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München

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Associated Investigator

Prof. Dr.

Julian Stingele

Chair of Cellular Biochemistry, Gene Center and Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy

Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München

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Associated Investigator

Prof. Dr.

Kikuë Tachibana

Director Department of Totipotency

Max-Planck-Institut für Biochemie

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Principal Investigator

Prof. Dr.

Fabian Theis

Chair of Mathematical Modelling of Biological Systems, Director, Institute of Computational Biology and Department of Mathematics, TUM School of Computation, Information and Technology

Helmholtz Zentrum München and Technische Universität München

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Principal Investigator

Prof. Dr.

Maria-Elena Torres-Padilla

Director Institute of Epigenetics and Stem Cells

Helmholtz Zentrum München and Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München

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Principal Investigator

Prof. Dr.

Jörg Vogel

Chair of Molecular Infection Biology I, Director Institute of Molecular Infection Biology and Director, Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research, Faculty of Medicine

Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg and Helmholtz Institut für RNA-basierte Infektionsforschung (HIRI)

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Associated Investigator

Prof. Dr.

Alexander Westermann

Professor at the Department of Microbiology, Theodor Boveri Institute, Biocenter, Faculty of Biology

Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg

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Associated Investigator

Prof. Dr.

Kathi Zarnack

Chair of Bioinformatics II, Theodor Boveri Institute, Biocenter, Faculty of Biology

Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg

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Associated Investigator

Prof. Dr.

Eleftheria Zeggini

Professor of Translational Genomics, Institute of Translational Genomics, Computational Health Center

Helmholtz Zentrum München

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Associated Investigator

Prof. Dr.

Christophe Zimmer

Chair of Machine Biophotonics, Rudolf-Virchow-Zentrum, Center for Integrative and Translational Bioimaging, Faculty of Medicine

Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg

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“NUCLEATE will lay the foundation for a new generation of therapeutics.”

Prof. Dr. Dr. Stefan Engelhardt

Administration & Management

Cluster Office
Cluster Manager

Dr.

Jacqueline Cordes

Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
BioSysM, Butenandtstraße 1
81377 München

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Coordinator

Dr.

Inka Busack

Institute of Molecular Infection Biology
Josef-Schneider Straße 2
97080 Würzburg

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Public Relations

Dr.

Beate Hafner

Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
BioSysM, Butenandtstraße 1
81377 München

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Accounting

Yamei Li

Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
BioSysM, Butenandtstraße 1
81377 Munich

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Coordinator

Dorothea Marquardt

TUM Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Biedersteinerstr. 29
80802 Munich

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Administrative Assistant

Iris Rademaker

Institute of Molecular Infection Biology (IMIB)
University of Würzburg
Josef-Schneider-Straße 2 / Bau D15
97080 Würzburg

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Administrative Assistant

Petra Thomas

Institute of Molecular Infection Biology (IMIB)
University of Würzburg
Josef-Schneider-Straße 2 / Bau D15
97080 Würzburg

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NUCLEATE – Cluster for Nucleic Acid Sciences and Technologies

 

Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
Feodor-Lynen-Str. 25 · 81377 Munich
Mail: info@nucleate-cluster.de
Phone: +49 89 2180-71100