Proteins

An Enzyme in training camp

‘Lactyl-CoA mutase’, which is not found in nature, was specifically developed for efficient synthetic metabolic pathways more

The hidden potential of enzyme promiscuity

Evolution in the laboratory can turn a familiar enzyme into a potential hotspot of innovation in synthetic biology more

New technology saves the lives of patients with fatal skin reactions

Spatial proteomics provides therapeutic approach for patients with toxic epidermal necrolysis more

Three protein complexes in a colourful diagram. Representation of the supercomplex consisting of the ribosome (purple), the helicase of the SKI complex (yellow) and the exosome (cyan).

Three protein complexes work together like the components of a machine more

Researchers can measure distances in molecules optically

MINFLUX microscopy allows the determination of distances within biomolecules using an optical microscope more

Folding of proteins observed with unprecedented accuracy

Researchers can visualize the work of folding helper molecules in their natural environment for the first time more

Alzheimer’s disease: It’s not only neurons

It is not only nerve cells that produce harmful beta-amyloid proteins. Glial cells also contribute to this more

Egg cell maintenance

Female mammals, including humans, are born with all of their egg cells. Some egg cells therefore survive for several decades – and need to remain functional over this long time. Extremely long-lived proteins in the ovary seem to play an important role in this. They appear to help maintain fertility for as long as possible. more

<span><span><span><span><span><span>Urm1 protects proteins in stress situations</span></span></span></span></span></span>

Scientists show that the protein Urm1 protects other proteins in cellular stress situations by promoting phase separation more

This is a picture of Erin Schuman, who has been director at the Max Planck Institute for Brain Research in Frankfurt since 2009. In this picture, Schuman is wearing a white lab coat buttoned over a purple shirt. She is standing in what appears to be a lab setting, with one hand resting on the counter, and the other one in the pocket of her lab coat. She is looking into the camera. Her brown hair is of medium lenght and curly.

The director at the MPI for Brain Research is honoured for pioneering research on neuronal protein synthesis more

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New technology saves the lives of patients with fatal skin reactions

Spatial proteomics provides therapeutic approach for patients with toxic epidermal necrolysis more

Researchers can measure distances in molecules optically

MINFLUX microscopy allows the determination of distances within biomolecules using an optical microscope more

Alzheimer’s disease: It’s not only neurons

It is not only nerve cells that produce harmful beta-amyloid proteins. Glial cells also contribute to this more

Egg cell maintenance

Female mammals, including humans, are born with all of their egg cells. Some egg cells therefore survive for several decades – and need to remain functional over this long time. Extremely long-lived proteins in the ovary seem to play an important role in this. They appear to help maintain fertility for as long as possible. more

This is a picture of Erin Schuman, who has been director at the Max Planck Institute for Brain Research in Frankfurt since 2009. In this picture, Schuman is wearing a white lab coat buttoned over a purple shirt. She is standing in what appears to be a lab setting, with one hand resting on the counter, and the other one in the pocket of her lab coat. She is looking into the camera. Her brown hair is of medium lenght and curly.

The director at the MPI for Brain Research is honoured for pioneering research on neuronal protein synthesis more

<span><span>Tracking down rare hereditary diseases</span></span>

Dynamic structure of FLVCR proteins and their function in nutrient transport in our cells revealed more

Discovery of the first fractal molecule in nature

Scientists found for the first time a natural protein that follows a mathematical pattern of self-similarity more

Degradation of pathogenic proteins

Researchers develop novel cancer protein killer more

Hard to drug

Protein droplets reveal new ways to inhibit transcription factors in an aggressive form of prostate cancer more

Illustration of a cell with its various components. The protein-protein interactions, in other words the social network of proteins, are represented by the red, orange and green lines. The corner points of the connections each symbolize an investigated protein in the cell.

A research team maps the entire protein network architecture of a cell more

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Scientific highlights 2020

Scientific highlights 2020

December 21, 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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