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Technical University of Munich

Progress through responsible science with animals

Scientists at TUM use animal-free research methods wherever possible. At the same time, animal testing makes an indispensable contribution to medical progress, for example, in certain areas of biomedicine.

several slides with violet-stained tumor tissue
Photo: Andreas Heddergott / TUM

Research fields involving animal studies

Alternatives to animal experiments are becoming increasingly important in research. However, animal studies remain essential in certain areas of biomedicine. This applies to the development of safe medical devices, such as artificial heart valves, which must undergo testing in living organisms. Certain interventions are also unavoidable in wildlife research. These include tagging, for example, which researchers use to track migration routes and improve the protection of endangered species.

Focus areas with animal research

Careful consideration in research involving animals

Researchers working with animals face a classic dilemma: They want to contribute to a better understanding of diseases, but this can come at a cost to the animals. Some studies can only be conducted on living organisms, which places a burden on the animal. For this reason, each study undergoes intensive consideration of ethics and animal welfare before it is approved.

Approval of animal studies

Every study involving animals conducted in Germany undergoes a detailed review and approval process prior to its commencement. The authority responsible for TUM is the Government of Upper Bavaria. Every planned procedure involving animals must be described and justified in detail in the application. Careful consideration is given to whether alternative or less stressful research methods are available and how much stress is caused to animals compared to the benefits for science and society.

Research, animal welfare, and alternatives to animal testing

TUM aims to conduct animal-based research in a responsible and forward-looking manner. By doing so, the university promotes the further development of animal welfare and encourages alternative and complementary research methods.

More on animal welfare and alternatives

Current research successes

Research |

Proof for theory of visual perception

A scientific dispute spanning six decades about fundamental mechanisms of visual perception in mammals has now been settled. Researchers at TUM have succeeded in observing the visual information flow from neuron to neuron. Their findings confirm the validity of the 1981 Nobel Prize-winning model by David Hubel and Torsten Wiesel, which had remained controversial in some aspects.

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