Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry

Research at the institute focuses on the fundamental mechanisms that regulate and control life processes: How is genetic information correctly translated into proteins? How do nerve cells communicate with each other? How is cellular logistics controlled? On the organismal level, researchers at the Institute study the circadian rhythms of the vertebrate, or differentiation and development in multicellular organisms.

To obtain even deeper insights into the nanocosmos of living cells, the institute employs ultra-high resolution microscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and tomography, mass spectrometry, optical spectroscopy, or atomistic computer simulations. At the same time the Institute concentrates on developing novel measurement and analysis methods to provide a closer look into the world of molecules.

The Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry currently encompasses 12 departments:

• Patrick Cramer – Molecular Biology

In April, 2020, Patrick Cramer's team at the Max Planck Institute of Biophysical Chemistry created the first "3D structure of the corona polymerase"[1] for the COVID-19 virus. Their model will allow researchers "to investigate how antiviral drugs such as remdesivir – which blocks the polymerase – work, and to search for new inhibitory substances."

• Gregor Eichele – Genes and Behavior
• Dirk Görlich – Cellular Logistics
• Christian Griesinger – NMR-based Structural Biology
• Helmut Grubmüller – Theoretical and Computational Biophysics
• Peter Gruss – Molecular Cell Biology
• Stefan W. Hell – NanoBiophotonics
• Herbert Jäckle – Molecular Developmental Biology
• Reinhard Jahn – Neurobiology
• Reinhard Lührmann – Cellular Biochemistry
• Marina Rodnina – Physical Biochemistry
• Alec M. Wodtke – Dynamics at Surfaces

The Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry is particularly engaged in the support of junior scientists. 20 independent research groups pursue their own research goals.

• Loren B. Andreas – Solid-State NMR Spectroscopy
• Gopalakrishnan Balasubramanian – Nanoscale Spin Imaging
• Marina Bennati – Electron-Spin Resonance Spectroscopy
• Bert L. de Groot – Computational Biomolecular Dynamics
• Alex Faesen – Biochemistry of Signal Dynamics
• Jens Frahm – Biomedical NMR
• Stefan Glöggler – NMR Signal Enhancement
• Aljaz Godec – Mathematical Biophysics
• Stefan Jakobs – Structure and Dynamics of Mitochondria
• Peter Lenart – Cytoskeletal Dynamics in Oocytes
• Juliane Liepe – Quantitative and Systems Biology
• Grazvydas Lukinavicinus – Chromatin Labeling and Imaging
• Samuel Meek – Precision Infrared Spectroscopy on Small Molecules
• Vladimir Pena – Macromolecular Crystallography
• Reinhard Schuh – Molecular Organogenesis
• Johannes Söding – Quantitative and Computational Biology
• Alexander Stein – Membrane Protein Biochemistry
• Henning Urlaub – Bioanalytical Mass Spectrometry
• Wolfgang Wintermeyer – Ribosome Dynamics
• Markus Zweckstetter – Structure Determination of Proteins Using NMR

After retiring, directors of the Institute can actively continue their research for a couple of years.

• Herbert Jäckle – Molecular Developmental Biology
• Reinhard Jahn – Laboratory of Neurobiology
• Thomas Jovin – Laboratory of Cellular Dynamics
• Reinhard Lührmann – Cellular Biochemistry
• Erwin Neher – Membrane Biophysics
• Jürgen Troe – Spectroscopy and Photochemical Kinetics

The Institute has undergone a permanent change in research with the closing of departments after their heads have retired and by continuously establishing new departments. Some of the former directors pursue their research even after their Emeritus Group has expired and can still be contacted at the institute (*).

• Otto D. Creutzfeldt – Neurobiology (1971–1992)
• Manfred Eigen – Biochemical Kinetics (1971–1995)
• Dieter Gallwitz – Molecular Genetics (1985–2004)
• Manfred Kahlweit – Kinetics of Phase Transformations (1971–1996)
• Hans Kuhn – Molecular Systems (1971–1984)
• Leo de Maeyer – Experimental Methods (1971–1996)
• Bert Sakmann – Cell Physiology (1985–1988)
• Fritz-Peter Schäfer – Laser Physics (1971–1994)
• Hans Strehlow – Electrochemistry and Reaction Kinetics (1971–1984)
• Klaus Weber – Biochemistry and Cell Biology (1973–2004)
• Albert Weller – Spectroscopy (1971–1990)
• Victor P. Whittaker – Neurochemistry (1973–1987)

The institute also accommodates the independent Biomedizinische NMR Forschungs GmbH headed by Jens Frahm, which was founded in 1993. The focus of this association is the development and application of spatially resolved NMR techniques for non-invasive studies of the central nervous system in animals and humans. These innovative approaches allow for unique insights into the structure, metabolism and function of the intact living brain. Jens Frahm and his coworkers invented a rapid acquisition technique for magnetic resonance imaging termed FLASH MRI (fast low angle shot) technique which allowed for a 100-fold reduction of the measuring times of cross-sectional and three-dimensional images. The FLASH technique led the ground for many modern MRI applications in diagnostic imaging.