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.
Fully Funded PhD Positions—Apply online by March11! Graduate program in the fields of In the fields of: Biophysics, Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Chemistry

International Max Planck Research School on Cellular Biophysics!

Don’t miss the opportunity to start your scientific career in one of Europe’s top research programs! Apply today to be part of the Max Planck Society and the IMPRS community, and help shape the future of cellular biophysics.
 

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


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

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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Work with us

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Latest Publications

1.
Mello-Vieira, J.; Dikic, I.: Ubiquitination and autophagy in host-pathogen interactions: from immune surveillance to therapeutic targeting. Nature Reviews Immunology (2026)
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2.
Babic, R.; Brenneisen, J.; Wilfling, F.; Kraft, C.: Autophagy regulation by phase separation, avidity, and wetting. Trends in Biochemical Sciences 51 (1), pp. 27 - 38 (2026)
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3.
Ehr, J. v.: Molecular basis of specificity in alternative splicing regulation through splicing regulator SRSF6. Dissertation, 193 pp., Fachbereich Biocwissenschaften der Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität, Frankfurt am Main (2026)
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4.
Glushkova, D.; Böhm, S.; Beck, M.: Systematic membrane thickness variation across cellular organelles revealed by cryo-ET. Journal of Cell Biology 225 (1), e202504053 (2026)
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