Welcome to the Max Planck Institute of Biophysics!

Welcome to the Max Planck Institute of Biophysics!

The Max Planck Institute of Biophysics focuses on investigating the structure and function of proteins which regulate vital cellular processes – from sustainable waste disposal and efficient energy metabolism to highly complex immune responses. Our researchers use a wide methodological repertoire including electron cryo-microscopy, advanced light microscopy, mass spectromery, and proteomics.
Symposium on Cellular Biophysics

Symposium on Cellular Biophysics

On the occasion of the annual program start for new PhD students, our graduate program – the IMPRS on Cellular Biophysics – organizes a versatile symposium on research topics from the field of cellular biophysics. Check out the program and join us to get to know the Faculty, and learn about the different research projects within the IMPRS on Cellular Biophysics.
Science for All

Science for All

At our Night of Science, we offered a diverse program to showcase our institute and our research. Scientists presented exciting and engaging hands-on experiments, and visitors could test their knowledge in “The Great Biophysics Quiz”. Guided tours of our electron microscope facility and talks provided insights into our methods and the latest research projects!
Eugene Kim Is Awarded Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Prize

Eugene Kim Is Awarded Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Prize

Congratulations to our Research Group Leader Eugene Kim! The German Research Foundation (DFG) honors her research on genome packaging with one of the most important distinctions for early-career researchers in Germany.
Science Community Joins Forces: Frankfurt Stands Up for Democracy

Science Community Joins Forces: Frankfurt Stands Up for Democracy

On February 5, 2024, we participated in the “Frankfurt Stands Up for Democracy” demonstration, standing alongside nearly 20,000 participants representing over 100 institutions, organizations, and companies across the Frankfurt region.
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Employees
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Publications in 2021
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High-end Instruments

Latest Publications

1.
Prieto-Garcia, C.; Matkovic, V.; Mosler, T.; Li, C.; Liang, J.; Oo, J. A.; Haidle, F.; Mačinković, I.; Cabrera-Orefice, A.; Berkane, R. et al.; Giuliani, G.; Xu, F.; Jacomin, A.-C.; Tomaskovic, I.; Basoglu, M.; Hoffmann, M. E.; Rathore, R.; Cetin, R.; Boutguetait, D.; Bozkurt, S.; Hernández Cañás, M. C.; Keller, M.; Busam, J.; Shah, V. J.; Wittig, I.; Kaulich, M.; Beli, P.; Galej, W. P.; Ebersberger, I.; Wang, L.; Münch, C.; Stolz, A.; Brandes, R. P.; Tse, W. K. F.; Eimer, S.; Stainier, D. Y. R.; Legewie, S.; Zarnack, K.; Müller-McNicoll, M.; Dikic, I.: Pathogenic proteotoxicity of cryptic splicing is alleviated by ubiquitination and ER-phagy. Science 386 (6723), pp. 768 - 776 (2024)
2.
Schmitt, L.; Krings, K. S.; Wolsing, A.; Buque, X.; Zimmermann, M.; Flores-Romero, H.; Lenz, T.; Lechtenberg, I.; Peter, C.; Stork, B. et al.; Teusch, N.; Proksch, P.; Stühler, K.; García-Sáez, A. J.; Reichert, A. S.; Aspichueta, P.; Bhatia, S.; Wesselborg, S.: Targeting mitochondrial metabolism by the mitotoxin bromoxib in leukemia and lymphoma cells. Cell Communication and Signaling 22, 541 (2024)
3.
Heidari, M.; Sikora, M.; Hummer, G.: Refined Protein-Sugar Interactions in the Martini Force Field. Journal of Chemical Theory and Computation (2024)
4.
Lotfipour Nasudivar, S.; Pedrera, L.; García-Sáez, A. J.: Iron-Induced Lipid Oxidation Alters Membrane Mechanics Favoring Permeabilization. Langmuir (2024)
5.
Rivero-Hernández, A. L.; Hervis, Y. P.; Valdés-Tresanco, M. E.; Escalona-Rodríguez, F. A.; Cancelliere, R.; Relova-Hernández, E.; Romero-Hernández, G.; Pérez-Rivera, E.; Torres-Palacios, Y.; Cartaya-Quintero, P. et al.; Ros, U.; Porchetta, A.; Micheli, L.; Fernández, L. E.; Laborde, R.; Álvarez, C.; Sagan, S.; Lanio, M. E.; Pazos Santos, I. F.: Decoupling immunomodulatory properties from lipid binding in the α-pore-forming toxin Sticholysin II. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 280 (Pt 4), 136244 (2024)
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News

Our Research 

Ernst Bamberg – The Functional Analysis of Electrogenic Membrane Proteins
We focus on the molecular mechanism of rhodopsin-like ion pumps and channels, and on their optogenetic applications.
 
Martin Beck – Molecular Sociology
How do molecular modules act in concert to generate complex cellular functions?
Ulrich Ermler – Enzyme Mechanism
We are focused on the enzyme structure-based analysis of challenging biochemical processes in anaerobic biomass degradation.
 
Gerhard Hummer – Theoretical Biophysics
Our goal is to develop detailed and quantitative descriptions of key biomolecular processes, including energy conversion, molecular transport, signal transduction, and enzymatic catalysis.
Eugene Kim – Structure and Dynamics of Chromosomes
What are the universal principles that underlie chromosome organization across all forms of life?
Werner Kühlbrandt – Structural Biology
How can we make the most of cryo-electron microscopy for determining the structure and function of membrane protein complexes?
Melanie McDowell – Membrane Protein Biogenesis
What molecular mechanisms control the delivery and correct insertion of membrane proteins at the endoplasmic reticulum?
Hartmut Michel – Molecular Membrane Biology
How to generate and use structural information to investigate function and mechanisms of membrane protein complexes?
 
Bonnie Murphy – Redox and Metalloproteins
Understanding mechanism through structure
Beata Turoňová – Image Processing
Our software method development focuses on improving tomogram quality and integrating contextual information into subtomogram averaging routines.
Sonja Welsch – Electron Microscopy
Our state-of-the-art equipment, and technical and scientific user support allow for novel insights into biological structures and molecular mechanisms.
Florian Wilfling - Mechanisms of Cellular Quality Control
How is cargo selected and packed into autophagosomes?

Scientific Facilites

Sonja Welsch – Electron Microscopy
Our state-of-the-art equipment, and technical and scientific user support allow for novel insights into biological structures and molecular mechanisms.
Stephan Junek – Imaging
Our state-of-the-art light microscopes and photomanipulation setups, as well as our training offers and user support, enable advanced imaging for cutting-edge research.
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