How sugar manipulates
our brain

more
Sugar affects the brain’s chemistry and increases our craving for sweet things A glass filled with white sugar cubes and a striped straw stands on a light-coloured wooden table against a plain blue background.

News

A shell-dwelling cichlid behind a snail shell

How do shell-dwelling cichlids build the perfect nest?

April 10, 2026
Behavioral Biology
The individual steps of nest-building are instinctive, but only through practice do the fish become true masters
Two embryonic structures under fluorescent light. The left structure is smooth with red and blue hues, while the right is textured, displaying vivid red and blue fluorescence.

Embryo model ethics beyond box-checking

April 10, 2026
Stem Cells
A proposal for embedded ethics to facilitate ethically responsible research with stem-cell-based embryo models
In the center of the image is a glowing ring from which two bright rays of different colors appear to emanate. One of them is curved, the other straight. The background is dark, with a few stars and small nebulae.

First close pair of supermassive black holes detected?

April 07, 2026
Astronomy Astrophysics Black Holes
At the center of the galaxy Markarian 501, there appears to be not just one supermassive black hole, but two. Radio observations over several years suggest that the duo could merge in as short as 100 years.
Further News

Career

Graphic with AI symbol in the centre, surrounded by digital circuits. At the top right, a graduation cap in a circle.

New Max Planck School of Biomedical Artificial Intelligence

March 12, 2026
Artificial Intelligence
The new School will develop advanced AI methods for basic life sciences research. The concept was developed under the coordination of Karsten Borgwardt, Director at the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry.
Three people in white lab coats are standing in a modern laboratory with green doors, a clock and an emergency exit sign.

Call for Applications 2026: Lise Meitner Research Groups

The MPG offers excellent researchers again the possibility to apply for a position as a Leader of a Lise Meitner Research Group in all areas of science. Applications are possible until April 15th, 2026. 

Job Offers

Doctoral position (f/m/d) | Microplastics in the environment: from laboratory analysis to source attribution modeling

Max Planck Institute of Geoanthropology, Jena
April 14, 2026

5 Master Fellowships

Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing, Cologne
April 13, 2026

Postdoctoral Researcher (f/m/d) | Small-Animal MRI and Cross‑Species Neuroimaging

Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence (Martinsried site), Martinsried
April 10, 2026
to the JobBoard
Career

Topic Specials

The muddy hands of a person cupped together under a water tap in a muddy background.

Climate and Transformation

In addition to climate forecasts, the consequences of climate change are increasingly becoming the focus of research at Max Planck Institutes
A schematic view from above of a human brain with many coloured fibres connecting the two halves and extending out in various directions.

The brain

The human brain is the most complex organ that nature has ever produced: 100 billion nerve cells and many times more contact points give it capabilities that no supercomputer can match
Full shot of a world map, likely a graphic design or print, overlaid with numerous passport stamps of varying colors and sizes.

Migration

The causes and consequences of human mobility and its history are central topics for research at Max Planck Institutes
Further Topic Specials

Publications


Illustration of networks and two persons
Cover of the brochure Living and Working in Germany
Research is Calling! cover
Cover Max Planck Research Magazine 4/2025
Image brochure - Max Planck Society
Cover - Highlights 2024 from the Yearbook of the Max Planck Society
Annual Report 2024 cover - Max Planck Society
Evaluation cover

From the Institutes


MPI of Immunobiology and Epigenetics
The functions of BET proteins during gene activation more
MPI for the Study of Crime, Security and Law
Analytical method has impact on the findings more
MPI for Chemical Ecology
Insect symbioses are surprisingly fragile more
MPI for Chemistry, et al.
Fungi use “start button” for ice from bacteria more
MPI for Radio Astronomy
Radio Signals from the Edge of Extreme Stars more
MPI for Evolutionary Biology
Bold animals do not always live fast more
MPI of Biochemistry
Study reveals 2FA system that controls protein and microRNA destruction more
MPI for Chemical Ecology
Quinine biosynthesis solved more
MPI for Evolutionary Biology
Immunity shapes decisions more
MPI for Evolutionary Biology
The developmental hourglass has a cellular basis more
MPI for Biological Intelligence (Martinsried site), et al.
A familiar voice shapes how zebra finches hear and respond more
Max Planck Innovation
Batene secures €6 million for next development phase more
MPI of Molecular Plant Physiology
Friendly fungi hijack plant immune system more
MPI for Demographic Research
Large Gaps in Migration Research more
MPI of Molecular Plant Physiology
Paternal mitochondria rescuing plant fertility more
MPI for Innovation and Competition
Forests as Climate Regulators more
MPI for Biological Intelligence (Martinsried site), et al.
How birds achieve sweet success more
MPI for Evolutionary Anthropology
Kava drinking and its role in cultural evolution more

Events

April 2026
Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
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13 14 15 16 17 18 19
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
27 28 29 30
Dangerous Science, Anticipation and the Human Right to Science

Apr 22, 2026 from 05:00 PM to 07:00 PM (Local Time Germany)

Plant-based – the future? What do researchers think about meat substitutes.

Apr 29, 2026 from 06:00 PM to 08:00 PM (Local Time Germany)

Upcoming Events

Dangerous Science, Anticipation and the Human Right to Science

Apr 22, 2026 05:00 PM - 07:00 PM (Local Time Germany)
Freiburg/Germany, Fürstenbergstr. 19, Room: Seminar room (F 113) | Guests are welcome; please register

Plant-based – the future? What do researchers think about meat substitutes.

Apr 29, 2026 06:00 PM - 08:00 PM (Local Time Germany)
Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Room: Seminar room 1.009

Science Day: 17 Goals for the Future

May 31, 2026 10:30 AM - 01:30 PM (Local Time Germany)
Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Room: Hermann Staudinger Lecture Hall and Polymer Path
All Events

Multimedia


Screenshot of the picture gallery "My Science and Me"

My Science and Me

What fascinates scientists about their research? What drives them? Science thrives on the people who shape it. Our picture gallery depicts aspects of research from the perspective of those who carry it out
Two smiling women standing looking in the direction of the camera with a dark background.

Unraveling Behavior

Podcast
A science podcast about the patterns driving human judgment and decision making. In each episode,  Ana Sofia Morais sits down with a researcher to explore how people make decisions, how they handle risk, and how our surroundings and the online world shape our behavior.
A microsopic view of a fluorescent green worm on a black background.

Cell droplet research

Video
A new hope for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. A film about the research of Anthony Hyman, who was awared the Koerber Prize 2022 and the Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences 2023.
A sombre grey cartoon image of four people sitting on a bench.

Flight and Trauma

Video
Traumatic experiences from fleeing war zones can lead to distressing symptoms, which impair everyday life. Now with Ukranian sub-titles.
more
Optogenetics | briefly explained

Optogenetics | briefly explained

Video
Turning nerve cells on and off using pulses of light. Optogenetics is a relatively new field that uses light to control genetically modified cells. It is based on light-activated membrane proteins, such as bacteriorhodopsin or channelrhodopsin, that are built into nerve cells.
more

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