Press Releases

Together with his team, Stefan H. E. Kaufmann has advanced the development of a new vaccine against tuberculosis, which could also serve as an interim solution for Covid-19. The infection biologist will continue his research with an emeritus group in Göttingen. more

The physicist took up the position in part-time and will continue to work as Professor of Experimental Solid State Physics at the University of Göttingen for the time being. Together with his team, he will develop experimental methods allowing for the observation of microscopic processes on very short time scales. For this purpose, Ropers uses ultrafast electron microscopy – a field to which he has made a decisive contribution and in which he is one of the leading scientists worldwide. more

The US-American National Academy of Sciences has elected Patrick Cramer as Foreign Associate. The prestigious academy thus honors the biochemist for his outstanding research on a fundamental process of life – how cells read the information encoded in the genes and how this is regulated. (in German) more

When a person becomes infected with the coronavirus, the pathogen multiplies rapidly in the cells of the infected person. To do so, the virus must replicate its RNA genome. This task is carried out by the viral "copy machine", the polymerase. Researchers led by Patrick Cramer have now visualized how the corona virus replicates its RNA and which 3D structure the polymerase adopts during copying. This makes it now possible to investigate the effect of antiviral substances which inhibit the viral copy machine, such as the promising compound remdesivir. more

As for human settlements, a functioning waste disposal system is also important for living cells, so that no rubbish accumulates. In cells, the small molecule ubiquitin plays a central role: It is attached to defective proteins, which are thus marked as "waste" and released for disposal. But ubiquitin can do much more, as scientists from Göttingen have now discovered: It also functions as a door opener, allowing defective proteins to pass through a membrane channel on their way to the cellular waste disposal chute.  (in German) more

Every year, top researchers apply for funds from the European Research Council (ERC), and the highly endowed ERC Advanced Grants are sought after in particular. Patrick Cramer has now been successful for the third time – an exceptional achievement. He investigates how cells use the information stored in their genome. His work on the regulation of this fundamental process is now funded with about two million euros. more

Tuberculosis still represents the infectious disease with the highest fatality numbers and is caused by mycobacteria. The fatty acid biosynthetic factory is an important target in the fight against this infectious bacterium. Göttingen researchers have now discovered a protein that commands and controls FAS function. This finding not only opens up new therapeutic venues, particularly against tuberculosis. In biotechnological applications this new control unit enables the generation of tailor-made fatty acid synthases.  more

A new magnetic resonance method can make specific areas of molecules visible while suppressing disturbing background signals during the measurement. The method, developed by Stefan Glöggler and his team, shall in future also be used for medical diagnostics using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). more

The International Max Planck Research School for Physics of Biological and Complex Systems in Göttingen will be extended: For another six years, it will provide a structured doctoral training focussing on physics and chemistry. Since 2008, 200 young researchers have been awarded doctorates within this program. (in German) more

The number is gigantic: In medical diagnostics, about 100 million examinations are carried out with magnetic resonance imaging every year – and every scanner worldwide uses the technology developed by Jens Frahm and his team at the MPI for Biophysical Chemistry. For his achievements, the physicist has now been awarded the Werner von Siemens Ring, one of the most important German technology prizes. more

Three years ago, Göttingen Nobel Laureate Stefan Hell and his team introduced MINFLUX nanoscopy. With this technique it was possible for the first time to separate fluorescing molecules with light that were only a few nanometers apart - this is as sharp as it can get. Now, the Max Planck researchers present the technique's latest development: MINFLUX now reaches this resolution in cells, with multicolor imaging and in 3D. Thus, MINFLUX nanoscopy can now be boradly applied in biological research. (in German) more

For the first time in 3D and atomic resolution: Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, in cooperation with colleagues from Würzburg, have succeeded in presenting the propagation strategy of Vaccinia viruses. These viruses also serve as vaccines against human smallpox diseases and as the basis for new cancer therapies. more