Welcome to the Max Planck Institute of Biophysics!

Welcome to the Max Planck Institute of Biophysics!

We study the structure and function of proteins which regulate vital cellular processes using a wide methodological repertoire including advanced light and electron microscopy and as well as computational biology.

Our Research


Ernst Bamberg – The Functional Analysis of Electrogenic Membrane Proteins
Martin Beck – Molecular Sociology
Ulrich Ermler – Enzyme Mechanism
Ana J. García-Sáez
Gerhard Hummer – Theoretical Biophysics
Werner Kühlbrandt – Structural Biology
Eugene Kim – Structure and Dynamics of Chromosomes
Melanie McDowell – Membrane Protein Biogenesis
Hartmut Michel – Molecular Membrane Biology
Bonnie Murphy – Redox and Metalloproteins
Beata Turoňová – Image Processing
Florian Wilfling – Mechanisms of Cellular Quality Control

Overview

Scientific Facilities


Sonja Welsch – Electron Microscopy
Julian Langer – Mass Spectrometry
https://brain.mpg.de/imaging

News

Close-up of metal laboratory equipment with coiled tubes, superimposed on an image of a dense forest and a swamp with grasses and water.

Microbes Can Reduce Their Need for Nickel

Research News
Methane-producing archaea are more adaptable to nutrient-poor habitats than previously thought.
more
Lea Dietrich holds the Otto Hahn Medal at the flower meadow of the Max Planck Insititute of Biophysis

Lea Dietrich Awarded Otto Hahn Medal for Junior Scientists

Awards & Honors People
Her dissertation on the structure of mitochondrial proteins has earnt her one of the Max Planck Society’s top distinctions for young researchers.
more
Understand what we do

Understand what we do

Not an expert? Dive in and become one!
more
Scientist smile while sitting at a conference.

Meet us

Meet us virtually or in person at our upcoming events
more
Four scientists look at the camera, while working in a wet lab.

Work with us

You are looking for an inspiring job in a diverse environment? Check our job offers!
more

Latest Publications

1.
Agip, A.-N. A.; Ornelas, P.; Yang, T.-J.; Uboldi, E.; Häder, S.; McDowell, M.; Kühlbrandt, W.: Structures of Chaetomium thermophilum TOM complexes with bound preproteins. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 122 (29), e2507279122 (2025)
MPG.PuRe
DOI
Full
2.
Nomura, S.; San Segundo-Acosta, P.; Protasov, E.; Kaneko, M.; Kahnt, J.; Murphy, B. J.; Shima, S.: Electron flow in hydrogenotrophic methanogens under nickel limitation. Nature (2025)
MPG.PuRe
DOI
Full
3.
Kucherenko, Z.: Nucleoporin condensation and Nuclear Pore Complex assembly during Drosophila oogenesis. Master, 76 pp., Goethe-Universität, Frankfurt (2025)
MPG.PuRe
4.
Singh, M. K.; Cavellini, L.; Morcillo-Parra, M. A.; Kunz, C.; Lelek, M.; Bomme, P.; Barascu, A.; Alsayyah, C.; Teixeira, M. T.; Belgareh-Touzé, N. et al.; Mallet, A.; Dietrich, L.; Zimmer, C.; Cohen, M. M.: A constricted mitochondrial morphology formed during respiration. Nature Communications 16, 5314 (2025)
MPG.PuRe
DOI
Full

Videos

Web-View
Print Page
Open in new window
Estimated DIN-A4 page-width
Go to Editor View