About the Institute
The Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry (MPIB) in Martinsried, Munich is one of the leading international research institutions in the fields of biochemistry, cell and structural biology and biomedical research. With about 30 scientific departments and research groups and about 750 employees, the MPIB is one of the largest institutes of the Max Planck Society.
The approximately 350 scientists, coming from 43 different nations, study the structure of proteins – on single molecules, but also on complex organisms. Their work and the support of various central service facilities make the MPIB a leading international institute in the field of protein research. The high quality of the research work is also reflected in numerous awards and prizes. Two scientists have already been awarded the Nobel Prize: Feodor Lynen in 1964 and Robert Huber in 1988.
What we do
Scientists at the MPIB are investigating proteins, the main actors in all cellular processes – without them our organism with its complex processes would not function. The researchers are addressing the following questions, among others: What decides whether and out of which genes proteins are produced? How do proteins control highly complex cell processes? How do cells communicate with each other? Which control mechanisms are effective and what happens in the event of errors? These are just some of the aspects that are being researched at the MPIB.
Another important research aspect is biomedical basic research. Disturbances in cellular signal transmission or defective protein structures can lead to diseases such as cancer, diabetes or Alzheimer’s disease. The research work at the MPIB thus also helps to better understand the development of these diseases and to provide the basis for new therapeutic strategies.
A particular strength of the MPIB is its great methodological expertise in all research areas of the institute, which is what makes the implementation of research projects possible in the first place. A wide range of state-of-the-art methods such as electron and light microscopy and mass spectrometry are used for the analyses. They provide scientists with particularly deep insights into the inner workings of cells.
In addition, central service facilities support researchers in their work. The Biochemistry Core Facility, the library, the informationmanagement, the computer centre, the animal house and the workshops make important contributions to the success of research.
From laboratory to practice
Even though the MPIB pursues basic research, the results are still used time and again: numerous patents are applied for every year. In addition, the institute’s scientists have been involved in the founding of 24 biotech companies to this date. Research at the MPIB also contributes significantly to the development of new therapeutic options – one example is the cancer drug Sutent, which is based on the findings of MPIB Director Axel Ullrich..
