Multi-Million Funding for New TUD, UZH and ETH Zurich TransCampus

The German Research Foundation (DFG) announced on May 10, 2024 that the International Research Training Group (IRTG) "Metabolic and Endocrine Drivers of Infection Susceptibility" (MEDIS), a collaborative effort between TUD Dresden University of Technology, the University of Zurich, and ETH Zurich, is one among 17 new DFG research training groups.  

Prof. Stefan Bornstein, who serves as the Director of the Medical Clinic and Polyclinic III at Carl Gustav Carus Center for Internal Medicine at TUD and transCampus Dean is also MEDIS Speaker. The DFG will be funding MEDIS with approximately six million euros; this initiative will help establish IRTG within the Faculty of Medicine at TUD. 

The primary focus of IRTG Dresden-Zurich lies in exploring contemporary research topics pertaining to metabolic and endocrine influences on infectious diseases. This marks another significant milestone for TUD in establishing yet another transCampus – this time around with UZH & ETH. 

Rector Prof Ursula Staudinger from TUD elaborated: “This newly procured international research training group funded by DFG along with two highly reputed partners from Zurich marks an essential stride towards launching another transCampus." She further emphasized how successful this unique instrument has been in strategically infusing life into international partnerships. 

A key aim behind IRTG’s establishment involves comprehensive international & interdisciplinary training provision for PhD students studying metabolic diseases & infectiology - areas considered highly relevant today. 

Dean Esther Troost from TU Dresden's Faculty of Medicine believes that collaboration between renowned institutions like TU Dresden, University of Zurich & ETH significantly advances medical research standards. Through combined efforts within the IRTG Dresden-Zurich framework she hopes to lay groundwork for future medical innovations set to positively impact global healthcare standards. 

According to Prof Stefan Bornstein – speaker for "MEDIS", it offers a rare chance for consolidating medical & scientific expertise. He believes it will provide insights into metabolic and infectious diseases’ interplay, ultimately improving healthcare standards. 

The research aims to understand how metabolic and infectious diseases relate to each other so that healthcare can be improved and the quality of life for those affected by these conditions can be increased. 

TransCampus is a robust research partnership extending beyond its initial roots in life sciences. The successful interdisciplinary collaboration plans on expanding across disciplines with partners like University of Zurich & ETH Zurich. It already has an established transCampus between TU Dresden & King's College London – a strategic international partnership aiming at developing exceptional scientific projects via complementary international portfolios & infrastructures. 

Carl Gustav Carus Faculty of Medicine at TUD Dresden specializes in oncology, metabolism as well as neurological and psychiatric disease research. Its focal areas include degeneration/regeneration topics, imaging/technology development, immunology/inflammation alongside prevention/healthcare research. With employees from over 90 nations and collaborations worldwide, this faculty embodies true internationality - deemed essential for top-tiered research.