LMU Fakultät für Chemie und Pharmazie

From a single “Hohe Schule” in Ingolstadt in 1472, the LMU Fakultät für Chemie und Pharmazie has blossomed into a world-renowned institution. Here at the modern campus in Munich, we trace the footsteps of scientific giants. The LMU Fakultät für Chemie und Pharmazie wasn’t always here in Munich. It began its life as part of the University of Ingolstadt, founded by Duke Ludwig IX. Imagine the simple classrooms and laboratories of the early days, a stark contrast to the state-of-the-art facilities surrounding us now. The university moved to Landshut in 1800, then finally settled in Munich in 1826, thanks to King Ludwig I. This move was pivotal for the Faculty. It allowed it to grow and attract leading minds like Justus von Liebig, the most famous chemist in Germany at that time, who joined LMU in 1852. His presence established the university as a major center for chemical research. Among Liebig’s students were future chemistry luminaries like Kekule, Hofmann, Erlenmeyer, and Strecker. Liebig’s successor, Adolf von Baeyer, further cemented the LMU Fakultät für Chemie und Pharmazie’s reputation. He oversaw the expansion of the institute, adding an inorganic chemistry division. His work earned him a Nobel Prize in 1905. The legacy of Nobel Prizes continued with Baeyer’s students. Emil Fischer, Eduard Buchner, Richard Willstätter, and Heinrich Wieland all went on to win Nobel Prizes in Chemistry. As we stand here, we’re surrounded by the echoes of these groundbreaking discoveries. The LMU Fakultät für Chemie und Pharmazie continued to evolve. In 1892, chemistry and pharmacy transitioned from the medical faculty to the philosophical faculty. This period saw the arrival of Albert Hilger, who established a new pharmaceutical chemistry institute. The 20th century brought further expansion and restructuring. New institutes were built, and departments like biochemistry were established. More Nobel Prizes followed. Feodor Lynen won the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1964. Ernst Otto Fischer, also associated with the Faculty, won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1973. Even into the 21st century, the LMU Fakultät für Chemie und Pharmazie has continued to expand. New research buildings like the “Center for Molecular Biosystems” (BioSysM) and the “Institute for Chemical Epigenetics” (ICEM) ensure the faculty remains at the forefront of scientific innovation. The LMU Fakultät für Chemie und Pharmazie’s journey, from a small faculty in Ingolstadt to the world-class institution it is today, is a testament to the enduring power of scientific curiosity and the pursuit of knowledge.