Solving the theory of strong interactions, quantum chromodynamics (QCD), is one of the major remaining problems in theoretical physics. Recent advances in gauge/gravity duality may help to shed light on the dynamics of the theory. This research group studies various topics at the interface of string theory, QCD, and other strongly interacting theories. Special focus is on QCD matter at finite density, where theoretical analysis is particularly hard. Gauge/gravity duality, supported by input from nuclear physics, lattice simulations, and perturbation theory, can provide answers to open questions in this regime, which is relevant for core-collapse supernova explosions and binary neutron star mergers.