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?

Join our International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS) on Cellular Biophysics.
Apply online by May 15, 2023, for the September 2023 program start! We are looking foward to get to know you.
 
Martin Beck awarded Feldberg Prize 2024

Martin Beck awarded Feldberg Prize 2024

With the prestigious award, the Feldberg Foundation promotes the scientific exchange between Germany and Great Britain. The foundation awards the prize each year to two excellent researchers from the field of experimental medicine, one from Germany and one from the United Kingdom (UK).
 
We Participate in the Girls’ Day 2023!

We Participate in the Girls’ Day 2023!

The Girls' Day promotes a stereotype-free career choice and provides insights into professions in which, on average, few women work. At our Institute, participants can be a scientist for a day and do experiments in the lab themselves to learn how the smallest building blocks in our bodies look and function.
Eugene Kim receives prestigious ERC Starting Grant

Eugene Kim receives prestigious ERC Starting Grant

A research proposal aiming to unravel the mechanisms that regulate the organization of genetic material in the cell nuclei of living organisms has earned our research group leader Eugene Kim one of the highly prestigious Starting Grants from the European Research Council (ERC). Congratulations!
 
Understand what we do
Not an expert? Dive in and become one!
Meet us
Meet us virtually or in person at our upcoming events
Work with us
You are looking for an inspiring job in a diverse environment? Check our job offers!
0
Employees
0
Research Groups
0
Publications in 2021
0
High-end Instruments

Latest Publications

1.
Cai, W.; Jäger, M.; Bullerjahn, J. T.; Hugel, T.; Wolf, S.; Balzer, B. N.: Anisotropic Friction in a Ligand-Protein Complex. Nano Letters (2023)
2.
Li, M.; Tripathi-Giesgen, I.; Schulman, B. A.; Baumeister, W.; Wilfling, F.: In situ snapshots along a mammalian selective autophagy pathway. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 120 (12), e2221712120 (2023)
3.
Sprankel, L.; Vizaragga, D.; Martín, J.; Manger, S.; Meier-Credo, J.; Marcos, M.; Julve, J.; Rotllan, N.; Scheffer, M. P.; Escolà-Gil, J. C. et al.; Langer, J. D.; Piñol, J.; Fita, I.; Frangakis, A. S.: Essential protein P116 extracts cholesterol and other indispensable lipids for Mycoplasmas. Nature Structural and Molecular Biology (2023)
4.
Fábián, B.; Thallmair, S.; Hummer, G.: Optimal Bond Constraint Topology for Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Cholesterol. Journal of Chemical Theory and Computation (2023)
5.
Lyratzakis, A.; Meier-Credo, J.; Langer, J. D.; Tsiotis, G.: Insights into the sulfur metabolism of Chlorobaculum tepidum by label-free quantitative proteomics. Proteomics n/a, 2200138 (2023)
Show more

Follow Us

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
How are the structures of redox and metalloproteins fine-tuned to facilitate their activity?
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.
Go to Editor View