IMPRS-ML – A Structured PhD Program for Future Leaders in the Life Sciences
The International Max Planck Research School for Molecules of Life (IMPRS-ML) is the successor of the very successful IMPRS-LS which was first established in 2005. IMPRS-ML is a center of excellence dedicated to the education and training of the world’s most promising young researchers in the areas of biochemistry, structural biology, biophysics, cell biology, systems biology, and computational biology. We believe that true innovation thrives at the intersection of diverse fields. That is why our research school embraces an interdisciplinary approach, seamlessly integrating these different research areas.
The IMPRS-ML is operated by the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry (MPIB) and works in close collaboration with the Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence (MPI-BI), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München(LMU) and the Technische Universität München (TUM) (read more below). IMPRS-ML is very proud to be working with the LMU and TUM, which consistently rank amongst Germany’s best universities.
Our Research Areas
At IMPRS-ML, we are dedicated to pushing the boundaries of knowledge. Using advanced methods and technologies in combination with computational approaches, our research groups focus on exploring the structure, function, and dynamics of biomolecules. They investigate how and where these molecules interact in biological systems to generate appropriate responses to environmental cues.
More than 30 distinguished and internationally recognized group leaders actively participate in the PhD program and offer challenging and interdisciplinary projects in three core research areas: Molecular Mechanisms, Biological Systems and Computational Biology and Technology Development.
Research at IMPRS-ML
The IMPRS-LS offers its students the exciting opportunity to work in a stimulating research environment which is renowned world-wide for its cutting-edge research, progressive technologies and a wealth of well-resourced facilities. At the heart of our program are the research school’s faculty members, whose leadership and innovative projects provide our doctoral students with a supportive, albeit challenging, research environment.
Research activities center around three distinct but well-connected research branches to investigate the structure, function and dynamics of biomolecules and to ask how these molecules interact in biological systems to generate appropriate responses to environmental cues. Innovation drivers will include the development of advanced technologies and the full integration of complex computational approaches to answer relevant biological questions.
To learn more about the research activities of our individual faculty members, go check out the Research Groups at IMPRS-ML.
Molecular Mechanisms 
Groups in this in this research areas seek to:
- Understand the molecular mechanisms that regulate and control biological processes
- Gain in-depth mechanistic insights of macromolecular complexes that regulate essential cellular processes
- Decipher the structure-function relationship of molecules involved in complex biological processes
Biological Systems 
Groups in this in this research areas seek to:
- Understand how the complex interplay between cellular components leads to a variety of biological responses
- Understand how biological responses affect the development and function of organs, the immune system and entire organisms
- Gain insights into cellular mechanisms and regulatory processes
Computational Biology and Technology Development 
Groups in this in this research areas seek to:
- Develop and apply innovative computational methods and technologies to push the limits of biological research
- Enable the automatic generation of knowledge from Big Data through machine learning
- Develop innovative technical and methodological solutions to investigate biologically relevant question
