Heidelberg
Institute for
Theoretical
Studies

Think beyond the limits!

The Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies was established in 2010 by physicist and SAP co-founder Klaus Tschira (1940-2015) and the Klaus Tschira Foundation as a private, non-profit research institute.

HITS conducts basic research in the natural sciences, mathematical and computer science. Major research directions include complex simulations across scales, making sense of data, and enabling science via computational research. Application areas range from molecular biology to astrophysics. An essential characteristic of the Institute is interdisciplinarity, implemented in numerous cross-group and cross-disciplinary projects. The base funding of HITS is provided by the Klaus Tschira Foundation.

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Research News

With AI towards new cardiac drugs

28. November 2023

In a recently published perspective (“Aktuelle Kardiologie” 2023; 12(06): 450 – 458), researchers in the “Molecular and Cellular Modeling” group at HITS and the “Section of …

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Drug formulation: Help to find the right ingredients

17. October 2023

The active ingredients of many medicines are poorly water-soluble and require suitable formulation to enable them to be orally administered and …

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Holding on to letting go – the Power of Bonds in Cell Stability

1. August 2023

Two-component adhesives are a brilliant invention. Scientists at the Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies (HITS) have found that the principle behind …

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HITS News

Phylogenetic trees and biodiversity research: “Highly Cited Researcher“ at HITS

22. November 2023

For eight years running, computer scientist Alexandros Stamatakis from the Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies (HITS) has been named one of …

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Anil Ananthaswamy – Journalist in Residence 2023

15. November 2023

Indian-American science journalist and author Anil Ananthaswamy was the 11th “Journalist in Residence” at the Heidelberg Institute for …

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Accelerating the design of therapeutics through simulations

2. November 2023

Since October 2023, Fabian Grünewald is the second fellow of the HITS independent PostDoc Program. The program offers an opportunity for …

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Research Groups

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Astroinformatics

The AIN group develops new methods and tools to deal with the exponentially increasing amount of data in astronomy.

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Computational Carbon Chemistry

The CCC group uses state-of-the-art computational chemistry to explore and exploit diverse functional organic materials.

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Computational Molecular Evolution

The CME group focuses on developing algorithms, computer architectures, and high-performance computing solutions for bioinformatics.

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Computational Statistics

The CST group focuses on the theory and practice of forecasts as well as on spatial statistics.

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Data Mining and Uncertainty Quantification

The DMQ group uses stochastic mathematical models, high-performance computing, and hardware-aware computing to quantify the impact of uncertainties in large data sets.

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Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence

The MLI group – established at HITS in September 2022 – works on novel algorithms and models for data-efficient learning, geometric deep learning, and …

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Molecular Biomechanics

The MBM group focuses on deciphering how proteins have been designed to specifically respond to mechanical forces in the cellular environment or as a biomaterial.

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Molecular and Cellular Modeling

The MCM group focuses on the interactions of biomolecules. Research methods include interactive, web-based visualization tools and atomic-detail molecular simulations.

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Natural Language Processing

The NLP group develops methods, algorithms, and tools for the automatic analysis of natural language.

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Physics of Stellar Objects

The PSO group models thermonuclear explosions of white dwarf stars leading to the astronomical phenomenon of Type Ia supernovae.

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Scientific Databases and Visualization

The SDBV group improves data storage and the search for life science data, making storage, search, and processing simple to use for domain experts who are not computer scientists.

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Stellar Evolution Theory

The SET group seeks to investigate the turbulent and explosive lives of massive stars.

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Theory and Observations of Stars

Stars are an important source of electromagnetic radiation in the universe allowing for studies of many phenomena, from distant galaxies to …

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HITS Lab

The HITS Lab fosters collaboration across groups and disciplines emphasizing research across disciplinary boundaries.

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Klaus Tschira Guest Professorship Program

The Klaus Tschira Guest Professorship Program aims to enhance international exchange and scientific collaboration at HITS in the natural, mathematical and …

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HITS Independent Postdoc Program

The HITS Independent Postdoc Program offers a great opportunity for highly talented young scientists wanting to transition from PhD student to …

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