Medicine

A detailed anatomical brain model is artistically filled with an assortment of colorful candies and sweets, set against a solid teal background, blending science with art.

Nerve cells that tell to us we are full also make us crave sweets more

Mechanism for treating muscle degeneratioin discovered

Utrophin increase in muscle cells normalises cell function in Duchenne muscular dystrophy more

A hamburger with lettuce and sauce sits on a table near a plate of chicken nuggets in a casual dining setting.

The hormone triggers insulin resistance in blood vessel endothelium in obesity more

A circular, coloured map with labels.

A 3D-map of the metabolic centre supports research into anti-obesity drugs more

A disrupted protein recycling process can harm heart health

An enzyme called Ubiquitin-specific peptidase 5 is a key factor in protein quality in heart muscle cells more

The HIV-1 capsid cracks the rings of the nuclear pore complex as it traverses the channel from the cytosol to the nucleus.

Researchers at the Max Planck Institute of Biophysics and the University of Heidelberg have discovered how Hi viruses enter the nucleus of a human cell. The conical protein capsules in which the genetic material of the pathogens is packed accumulate at nuclear pores in human immune cells such as macrophages and pass through them. The conical shape of the capsid seems to facilitate transport through the pores, because the passage of the capsules generates a force that breaks open the rings of the nuclear pores. The discovery could contribute to the development of new HIV inhibitors. more

The illustration shows the layers of the retina, inlcuding the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), the ganglion cell–inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) and the inner nuclear layer (INL). Using data from a UK Biobank study, the researchers found that the GCIPL, the synaptic layer of the amacrine cells (AC), was thinner in participants with a higher genetic risk for schizophrenia.

© Boudriot et al.

Schizophrenia genes reduce the communication ability of nerve cells in the eye more

Early Life Stress Impacts Fear Responses Differently in Males and Females

Sex-specific changes in brain metabolism and behavior in mice more

Cancer therapy with protein design

A new protein antagonist design strategy shows promise against leukaemia
  more

Research highlights 2024

The year 2024 saw Max Planck scientists publishing exceptional research across disciplines. We have selected twelve highlights to share more

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A detailed anatomical brain model is artistically filled with an assortment of colorful candies and sweets, set against a solid teal background, blending science with art.

Nerve cells that tell to us we are full also make us crave sweets more

Mechanism for treating muscle degeneratioin discovered

Utrophin increase in muscle cells normalises cell function in Duchenne muscular dystrophy more

A hamburger with lettuce and sauce sits on a table near a plate of chicken nuggets in a casual dining setting.

The hormone triggers insulin resistance in blood vessel endothelium in obesity more

A circular, coloured map with labels.

A 3D-map of the metabolic centre supports research into anti-obesity drugs more

A disrupted protein recycling process can harm heart health

An enzyme called Ubiquitin-specific peptidase 5 is a key factor in protein quality in heart muscle cells more

The HIV-1 capsid cracks the rings of the nuclear pore complex as it traverses the channel from the cytosol to the nucleus.

Researchers at the Max Planck Institute of Biophysics and the University of Heidelberg have discovered how Hi viruses enter the nucleus of a human cell. The conical protein capsules in which the genetic material of the pathogens is packed accumulate at nuclear pores in human immune cells such as macrophages and pass through them. The conical shape of the capsid seems to facilitate transport through the pores, because the passage of the capsules generates a force that breaks open the rings of the nuclear pores. The discovery could contribute to the development of new HIV inhibitors. more

“Further uniting our forces”

A new research field combining artificial intelligence and biomedicine is starting in Dresden more

Chronic inflammation: evolution in the gut

New therapies could prevent the adjustments in intestinal bacteria that enable them to survive in inflamed regions more

The picture shows a hand filling out an application for a German organ donor card.

Longitudinal study examines organ donation rates in five countries that have changed their organ donation default policy from opt-in to opt-out.
  more

Multi-panel microscopic image analysis. The top row displays three circular, high-resolution images, presumably of a tissue section. Each circle likely represents an identical tissue sample, likely stained and viewed under a microscope. The colors within each circular image are varied and represent different cellular components or marker expression patterns. The middle row shows three sets of two-dimensional plots (UMAP1 vs. UMAP2). These plots visually group and arrange the data points from the corresponding image in the top row. The data points vary in color. The color schemes within each plot likely correspond to the color schemes in the matching image above, thus providing a visual correlation of spatial location to cellular identity within the larger tissue sample.  The axes are labeled ("X" and "Y") with the axis labels "UMAP1" and "UMAP2". These UMAP plots effectively reduce and represent the high-dimensionality of multiple markers into a more readily visualizable two-dimensional space. The overall image suggests an analysis workflow where detailed microscopic images of a tissue section are processed to identify and cluster distinct cell types based on various markers. The color-coded representation in the microscopic images, and the scatter plots help in classifying the cells present in the image.

A new method can be used to predict how a cancer will progress more

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Research highlights 2024

The year 2024 saw Max Planck scientists publishing exceptional research across disciplines. We have selected twelve highlights to share more

In this picture, you see four children in mid-jump in a gym environment. The children are wearing t-shirts and gym shorts or trouser. Only their legs and torsos are visible in the picture, and you can tell that the children are slightly overweight.

According to the WHO, over 64 million adults and 300,000 children and adolescents in Europe are currently living with diabetes. In 90 percent of cases, excess weight is the primary trigger. At the Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research in Cologne, Jens Brüning is investigating the mechanisms through which obesity leads to insulin resistance. more

Research highlights 2023

Research highlights 2023

December 19, 2023

Many publications by Max Planck scientists in 2023 were of great social relevance or met with a great media response. We have selected 12 articles to present you with an overview of some noteworthy research of the year more

Silhouette of a person with a hood over their head and a smartphone in their hand.

Interview with Johanna Rinceanu and Randall Stephenson, senior researchers at the Department of Criminal Law at the Max Planck Institute for the Study of Crime, Security and Law in Freiburg, on what medical diagnosis and modern-day internet regulation have in common more

Scientific highlights 2022

Scientific highlights 2022

December 14, 2022

Many publications by Max Planck scientists in 2022 were of great social relevance or met with a great media response. We have selected 12 articles to present you with an overview of some noteworthy research of the year more

Julia Zimmermann

Julia Zimmermann talks about the foundation of the company terraplasma GmbH more

A not so typical colleague

People with autism often have outstanding skills, which can be enriching for businesses more

Perilous Puddles

Admittedly, the research subject isn’t particularly appetizing: Strongyloides stercoralis – small parasitic worms that live in their host’s intestines and have the potential to cause severe problems. Nevertheless, Adrian Streit from the Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology in Tübingen is fascinated by this threadworm. It has a unique life cycle, and to this day, no one really understands why more

Obesity seen as self-inflicted

Representative survey in Germany, the UK, and the US more

Pulmonary fibrosis caused by single transcription factor

Reduced FoxO3 activity reprograms connective tissue cells, triggering the disease more

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