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 that are embedded in cellular membranes. Membrane proteins functioning as channels, transporters, or molecular sensors mediate the exchange of matter and information between cells and their environment.
Are You Looking for a PhD Position in the Life Sciences?

Are You Looking for a PhD Position in the Life Sciences?

Apply to our International Max Planck Research School on Cellular Biophysics now! Register in our application portal, get your documents ready, contact your referees and submit your application by May 15.
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.
Frankfurt Alliance Strengthens the Rhine-Main Science Hub

Frankfurt Alliance Strengthens the Rhine-Main Science Hub

The Max Planck Institute of Biophysics is part of the new science network Frankfurt Alliance together with 15 other research institutions in the Rhine-Main metropolitan area
Michaela Müller-McNicoll Becomes Max Planck Fellow

Michaela Müller-McNicoll Becomes Max Planck Fellow

The fellow program promotes cooperation between Max Planck Institutes and outstanding professors at universities. From March 2024, Müller-McNicoll will lead a small research group at the MPI in Frankfurt for five years to investigate RNA, the carrier of genetic information in the cell, and its regulation.
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Employees
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Publications in 2021
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High-end Instruments

Latest Publications

1.
Aziz, I.; Kayastha, K.; Kaltwasser, S.; Vonck, J.; Welsch, S.; Murphy, B. J.; Kahnt, J.; Wu, D.; Wagner, T.; Shima, S. et al.; Ermler, U.: Structural and mechanistic basis of the central energy-converting methyltransferase complex of methanogenesis. PNAS 121 (14), e2315568121 (2024)
2.
Gauger, M.; Heinz, M.; Halbritter, A.-L. J.; Stelzl, L. S.; Erlenbach, N.; Hummer, G.; Sigurdsson, S. T.; Prisner, T.: Structure and internal dynamics of short RNA duplexes determined by a combination of pulsed EPR methods and MD simulations. Angewandte Chemie, International Edition in English, e202402498 (2024)
3.
Köfinger, J.; Hummer, G.: Encoding prior knowledge in ensemble refinement. The Journal of Chemical Physics 160, 114111 (2024)
4.
Johnson, A. G.; Mayer, M. L.; Schaefer, S. L.; McNamara-Bordewick, N. K.; Hummer, G.; Kranzusch, P. J.: Structure and assembly of a bacterial gasdermin pore. Nature (2024)
5.
Vallat, B.; Webb, B. M.; Westbrook, J. D.; Goddard, T. D.; Hanke, C. A.; Graziadei, A.; Peisach, E.; Zalevsky, A.; Sagendorf, J.; Tangmunarunkit, H. et al.; Voinea, S.; Sekharan, M.; Yu, J.; A M J J Bonvin, A.; DiMaio, F.; Hummer, G.; Meiler, J.; Tajkhorshid, E.; Ferrin, T. E.; Lawson, C. L.; Leitner, A.; Rappsilber, J.; Seidel, C. A. M.; Jeffries, C. M.; Burley, S. K.; Hoch, J. C.; Kurisu, G.; Morris, K.; Patwardhan, A.; Velankar, S.; Schwede, T.; Trewhella, J.; Kesselman, C.; Berman, H. M.; Sali, A.: IHMCIF: An Extension of the PDBx/mmCIF Data Standard for Integrative Structure Determination Methods. Journal of Molecular Biology, 168546 (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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