Proteins

Brain logistics

Teams from MPI Institutes in Dresden, Dortmund, Frankfurt am Main and Göttingen have joined forces to gain the first evidence of a protein complex responsible for the transport of messenger RNA in neurons more

Wiggly proteins guard the genome

Dynamic network in the pores of the nuclear envelope blocks dangerous invaders more

Loops in our DNA

How SMC proteins pack the genetic material in the cell nucleus more

The blind matchmaker

Reconstructed protein sequences in cyanobacteria reveal that protein interactions can evolve without direct selection pressure more

Major advance in super-resolution fluorescence microscopy

Pushing the MINFLUX technique to higher spatial and temporal precision allows protein dynamics to be observed under physiological conditions more

Explaining the Increased Infectivity of Emerging SARS-CoV-2 Variants

Delta and Omicron mutants of the virus bind more tightly and longer to host cells than early Wuhan variants more

A pocket full of water molecules

Max Planck researchers from Dortmund reveal the tiniest details of actin filaments more

More than microscopes can show

Computer simulations visualize how an essential stem cell protein opens wrapped DNA
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Mechanism of bacterial toxins in deadly attacks

Cryo-EM and protein NMR 3D snapshots reveal sophisticated mechanism of action of a bacterial Tc toxin more

Shedding light on the mechanisms of cystinuria

Calcium ions tie cystine transporters for correct trafficking and function more

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Wiggly proteins guard the genome

Dynamic network in the pores of the nuclear envelope blocks dangerous invaders more

Major advance in super-resolution fluorescence microscopy

Pushing the MINFLUX technique to higher spatial and temporal precision allows protein dynamics to be observed under physiological conditions more

Human epithelial cells (green with blue nuclei) are incubated with synthetic SARS-CoV-2 virions (magenta) to study the initial of infection and immune evasion.

Researchers create minimalistic Sars-CoV-2 virions and discover the spike protein switching mechanism more

Bacteria’s hidden weapon: toxins locked inside a capsule secured by a cork

New insights into the bacterial type VI secretion system could one day help to develop antibacterial and antifungal applications
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<span>Molecular mechanisms of corona drug candidate Molnupiravir unraveled</span>

Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry in Göttingen and the Julius Maximilians University Würzburg have elucidated the underlying molecular mechanisms by which the antiviral compound Molnupiravir blocks the replication of the coronavirus in the event of infection. more

Zooming in on muscle cells

Max Planck Institute’s researchers use electron cryo-tomography to reveal novel molecular details of skeletal sarcomeres more

Bacteria adapt syringe apparatus to changing conditions

Study shows how pathogenic bacteria can adapt to varying conditions of the digestive tract more

Unravelling the coronavirus structure

Researchers at Max Planck Institutes are getting to the bottom of the structure of SARS-CoV2 and thus laying important foundations for the development of effective medication more

<span>Patrick Cramer receives the 2021 Louis-Jeantet Prize for Medicine</span>

The award is one of the most prestigious in Europe. With this prize the Louis-Jeantet Foundation honors the director at the Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry for his pioneering work in the field of gene transcription.  more

Why remdesivir does not fully stop the coronavirus

New results explain why the drug that has been approved in Europe and the United Statehas has a rather weak effect more

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Scientific highlights 2020

Many publications by Max Planck scientists in 2020 were of great social relevance or met with a great media response. We have selected 13 articles to present you with an overview of some noteworthy research of the year more

Secretin protein with a crown

Researchers elucidate the structure of a molecular machine that allows bacteria to import foreign DNA and become resistant to antibiotics more

Structure of channelrhodopsin determined

Researchers discover structure and mechanism of action of molecular light switch, paving the way for new applications more

Stiff fibres spun from slime

Under the influence of shear forces, nanoparticles from the secretion of velvet worms form polymer fibres that can be recycled in water more

<p>Shining a light on molecular switches</p>

First structural insights obtained from femtosecond X-ray crystallography more

Deceptive teeth

Although the dentition of the wedgefish appear designed to crush shellfish, it also eats stingrays more

Green chemistry from the mussel foot

The byssus threads of the common mussel are produced by a combination of self-assembly processes and biologically active steps more

The first glimpse of a single protein

A folded protein molecule can be clearly imaged with the help of electron holograms more

Light microscopy provides a deep look into protein structure

An innovative fluorescence microscopy method makes it possible to image protein structures with a resolution of less than half an Angstrom more

Why is Usain Bolt the fastest person on Earth?

Max Planck researchers observe muscles at work with the help of new microscopes more

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