Synthetic Biology

First step towards synthetic CO<sub>2</sub> fixation in living cells

Three modules forming a new-to-nature CO2 fixation cycle successfully implemented in E.coli more

Research highlights 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

Cell-free quest for new antibiotics

A new method combines synthetic biology with artificial intelligence more

Order for brewer`s yeast

An artificial chromosome combines all t-RNA genes for cellular protein production more

Electricity driving life

Using a metabolic pathway, energy-rich resources can be produced via the power of electricity more

With formic acid towards CO<sub>2</sub> neutrality

Researchers develop a new method for the sustainable use of carbon dioxide more

Thrifty trick for bacterial plastic upcycling

Implementation of a newly discovered metabolic pathway increases the CO2 efficiency of PET-utilizing bacteria more

A `wise counsel` for synthetic biology

Researchers develop user-friendly software system to optimize biological systems more

Programming synthetic exosomes to optimize wound healing

Scientists create synthetic exosomes with natural functionalities and present their therapeutic application more

Manufacturing the core engine of cell division

By modelling the kinetochore from scratch, Max Planck Institute’s researchers get a step closer to creating artificial chromosomes more

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First step towards synthetic CO<sub>2</sub> fixation in living cells

Three modules forming a new-to-nature CO2 fixation cycle successfully implemented in E.coli more

Cell-free quest for new antibiotics

A new method combines synthetic biology with artificial intelligence more

Order for brewer`s yeast

An artificial chromosome combines all t-RNA genes for cellular protein production more

Electricity driving life

Using a metabolic pathway, energy-rich resources can be produced via the power of electricity more

With formic acid towards CO<sub>2</sub> neutrality

Researchers develop a new method for the sustainable use of carbon dioxide more

Programming synthetic exosomes to optimize wound healing

Scientists create synthetic exosomes with natural functionalities and present their therapeutic application more

Manufacturing the core engine of cell division

By modelling the kinetochore from scratch, Max Planck Institute’s researchers get a step closer to creating artificial chromosomes more

What termites and cells have in common

A synthetic cell with life-like properties reveals fundamental principles of morphogenesis and perception more

Energy for artificial cells

Researchers make the proton pump of the respiratory chain work in an artificial polymer membrane more

Environmentally friendly production of mandelic acid

Scientists found a method for the "green" production of the important starting material for the chemical industry more

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Research highlights 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

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

Building with DNA

Life on Earth developed from inanimate components. Can we recreate this process in the laboratory, and what tools do we need for this? Using DNA origami, the art of folding at a scale of just a few millionths of a millimetre, we are able to reconstruct individual cellular components. They may be capable of taking over important tasks in our bodies in future. more

'Viruses can change an entire population in a very short time'

Interview with Guy Reeves on the release of genetically modified organisms into nature more

'A combination of multiple measures to combat infectious diseases'

Interview with Elena Levashina on the use of genetically modified mosquitoes against malaria more

A stable shell for artificial cells

Scientists are developing cell-like lipid vesicles which can be populated with natural cell proteins more

“We are trying to develop CO<sub>2</sub> as a source of carbon”

Tobias Erb discusses a synthetic metabolic pathway that fixes carbon dioxide and synthetic biology more

Using synthetic photosynthesis to combat climate change

A synthetic biological metabolic pathway fixes CO2 more efficiently than plants more

Synthetic Biology: Life, Remixed

The goal of synthetic biology is to produce novel living systems with desirable properties. more

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