Press Releases

Researchers at the institute in collaboration with the Institute of Farm Animal Genetics in Mariensee and other international colleagues, developed a new model system for studying early embryonic development. With the help of this system, they discovered that the process when genetic material from each parent combines immediately after fertilization is remarkably inefficient. more

With Jäckle’s election, the Academy recognizes the outstanding scientific achievements of the emeritus director. His basic research on the fruit fly model brought new insights on the general understanding of genes and molecular mechanisms that control organ formation and energy metabolism. more

The research group leader receives 2.4 million euros of funding from the European Research Council for the next five years. The physical chemist and her team want to use the money to combine two methods: nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and electron spin resonance spectroscopy.   more

The biophysicist at the institute receives about 1.1 million euros funding for the next three years, together with two colleagues. With the grant’s help, the researchers will investigate the physiological effects of ultrasound waves on ion channel signaling. more

A team of researchers, including Ashwin Chari's group from the MPI for Biophysical Chemistry, has identified several candidates for drugs against the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. Among them are two promising compounds that are currently being investigated in preclinical studies. This drug screening – probably the largest of its kind – also revealed a new binding site on the virus. more

The German Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology honored Patrick Cramer, Director at the Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, with the Otto Warburg Medal. Virologist Christian Drosten of the Berlin Charité received the Eduard Buchner Award. At the virtual event, both scientists presented their latest results from corona research. more

The BioDiversum will be built in the coming months. It will provide a habitat for endangered animal and plant species. Today, earthworks for the pond began, the biotope’s central measure. With this project on its premises near Nikolausberg, the institute wants to contribute its share to stopping the massive loss of biodiversity. more

Scientists headed by Stefan Hell at the MPI for Biophysical Chemistry and the MPI for Medical Research have developed a new microscopy method, called MINSTED, which resolves fluorophore-labeled details with molecular sharpness. more

The MPI for Biophysical Chemistry and for Experimental Medicine will merge. On March 12, the decision-making bodies of the Max Planck Society approved this plan. Formally, both institutions will be closed and a new MPI will be founded. The future institute will bring together natural science and basic medical research. more

The Hector Foundation honors the Max Planck Director for his outstanding research in the field of gene transcription. Patrick Cramer's research has made a formative contribution to the life sciences and to interdisciplinary collaboration, emphasized laudator Christoph Klein. The prize is endowed with 150,000 euros. (in German) more

The research award is one of the most prestigious in Europe and endowed with 500,000 Swiss francs. With this prize the Louis-Jeantet Foundation honors the molecular biologist for his pioneering work in the field of gene transcription. Transcription is a copying process enabling living cells to produce transcripts of their genes that then serve as blueprints for making proteins. Cramer’s research focuses on the molecular machines, called RNA polymerases, that control this fundamental process of life. more

The first Covid-19 drug remdesivir is designed to suppress the rapid replication of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in human cells by blocking the viral copying machine, called RNA polymerase. Researchers at the institute and the University of Würzburg have now elucidated how remdesivir interferes with the viral polymerase during copying and why it does not inhibit it completely. Their results explain why the drug has a rather weak effect. 
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