Detailed 3D model of a cell highlighting organelles like nucleus, mitochondria, and endoplasmic reticulum in vibrant colors.

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


Emeritus Group Prof. Ernst Bamberg.
Detailed molecular assembly. Text ' Martin Beck, Molecular Sociology' .
Molecular structure showing protein complex and detailed H-transfer interaction. Text 'Ulrich Ermler, Enzyme Mechanism' .
Graphic of the interior of a molecule, featuring the text "Ana Garcia, Membrane Dynamics."
Detailed visualization of a molecular structure. Text ' Gerhard Hummer, Theoretical Biophysics'.
Complex molecular structure. Text ' Werner Kühlbrandt, Structural Biology' .
A white-lit chromosome featuring the text "Eugene Kim, Structure and Dynamics of Chromosomes."
Illustration of hands manipulating a blue protein helix above a lipid bilayer structure. Text ' Melanie McDowell, Membrane Protein Biogenesis' .
Detailed 3D molecular structure featuring yellow, blue, and orange atoms, interwoven with a blue mesh overlay on a black background. Text ' Hartmut Michel, Molecular membrane Biology' .
Graphic of a protein, featuring the text "Bonnie Murphy, Redox and Metalloproteins."
Beata Turoňová – Image Processing
Molecular arrangement with purple clusters surrounding a central yellow ring. Text' Florian Wilfing, Mechanisms of Cellular Quality Control.

Overview

Scientific Facilities


https://brain.mpg.de/imaging
Professional English version: A woman looking into an electron microscope in a room illuminated with blue light.
Colored brain with colorful patterns.

News

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When Science Meets Creativity

People
A behind‑the‑scenes look at the day‑to‑day of technicians Eva Kaindl and Angela Burkart
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Els Kuiper smiles into the camera while holding a flask filled with chocolate coins and bills in one hand.

From Grant Writing to Grant: Els Kuiper’s Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship

December 15, 2025

Grants People Postdoctoral Researcher
Lessons on effective grant writing for early-career researchers
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3D animation of a ribosome attached to SND3 on the ER surface. The backgroud of the illustration shows heat marks, referencing the hot environment in which Chaeomium thermofilum thrives.

SNDing Proteins into the Membrane

October 29, 2025

Research News
Recent structural study reveals a new route for membrane protein insertion in fungi.
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Meet us

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Work with us

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Latest Publications

1.
Lapenta, F.; Palacio Rodríguez, K.; Cruz-León, S.; Marrancone, S.; Aupič, J.; Marechal, N.; Durand, A.; Moussaoui, D.; Covaceuszach, S.; Gangupam, B. et al.; D'Ercole, C.; Parra, C.; Cotugno, D.; Tomaino, G.; Tortora, P.; de Marco, A.; Cassetta, A.; Magistrato, A.; Hummer, G.: Structural flexibility of the human vault particle revealed by high-resolution cryo-EM and molecular dynamics simulations. Nature Communications (2026)
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2.
Azeez, K. R. A.; Saraswati, H.; Mosler, T.; Hanke, T.; Ho-Xuan, H.; Neder, N.; Sivashanmugam, S. A.; Heinz, M.; Schwalm, M.-P.; Giuliani, G. et al.; Rathore, R.; Kazi, R.; Kumar, R.; Mitrovic, M.; Prieto-Garcia, C.; Bailey, H. J.; Mathea, S.; Hummer, G.; Đikić, I.; Müller, S.; Stolz, A.; Krause, D. S.; Knapp, S.: Discovery and Development of a Potent LIMK2 Isoform-Specific Degrader. ACS Chemical Biology (2026)
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3.
Flores-Romero, H.; Pena-Blanco, A.; Aufdermauer, J.; Dadsena, S.; Neubert, P.; Hohorst, L.; Cors, E.; Zollo, C.; Larrañaga-SanMiguel, A.; Zaldunbide, J. et al.; Nenchova, M.; Carvalho-Schaefer, Y.; Langer, T.; Häcker, G.; Garcia Saez, A. J.: MTCH2 promotes BAX and BAK self-assembly and apoptotic pore growth. Nature Structural & Molecular Biology (2026)
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4.
Geißler, K.; Kreysing, J. P.; Wang, Y.; Glushkova, D.; Obarska-Kosinska, A.; Hoffmann, P. C.; Böhm, S.; Schmidt, A.; Meier-Credo, J.; Langer, J. D. et al.; Hummer, G.; Beck, M.: The vault associates with membranes in situ. Nature Communications 17, 3659 (2026)
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