Welcome to the MPI 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 of cells with their environment.

New "International Max Planck Research School on Cellular Biophysics" at our Institute

The MPI Biophysics has, together with GU Frankfurt, and JGU Mainz, launched its new International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS) on Cellular Biophysics. From now on, PhD students will join our school annually to pursue the school’s mission: to understand how complex subcellular architecture is created from individual molecular functions that act in concert. 
Further Information: www.imprs-cbp.mpg.de.

New findings on SARS-CoV-2 protein shed light on virus’ ability to infect cells

Beata Turoňová et al. In situ structural analysis of SARS-CoV-2 spike reveals flexibility mediated by three hinges Science, 18 August 2020

Active site rearrangement and structural divergence in prokaryotic respiratory oxidases

Nuclear Pores Assemble from Nucleoporin Condensates During Oogenesis.

Hampoelz B., Schwarz A., et al., Cell 2019
The molecular events that direct nuclear pore complex (NPC) assembly toward nuclear envelopes have been conceptualized in two pathways that occur during mitosis or interphase.

Rotary substates of mitochondrial ATP synthase reveal the basis of flexible F1-Fo coupling

Murphy, B., Klusch, N. et al., Science (2019)

Benchmarking tomographic acquisition schemes for high-resolution structural biology

Turoňová, B., et al., Nature Communications (2020)

Curvature induction and membrane remodeling by FAM134B reticulon homology domain assist selective ER-phagy.

Bhaskara, R.M., et al., Nature Communications (2019)