Max Planck Institutes and Experts

Tiny nano machines called macromolecular complexes participate in the most fundamental biological processes. The high-resolution three-dimensional (3D) structure of these complexes and their dynamic behavior can be studied by cryo electron microscopy. The molecular movies that can be obtained for these nano machines contribute tremendously to our understanding of molecular processes at a structural level.

Neurons are connected with each other by synapses where signaling is mediated by neurotransmitters. In the sender neuron, these transmitters are stored in synaptic vesicles and released by calcium-dependent exocytosis. A quantitative molecular model of a prototype synaptic vesicle has been established. Moreover, the structure of the SNARE-proteins responsible for exocytosis was solved. Reconstitution of the proteins in artificial membranes allowed for a refined understanding of their regulation by calcium and for an identification of intermediate steps in exocytotic membrane fusion.

Using state-of-the-art technology and sophisticated data analysis tools, a team from MPIA has developed a new and powerful technique to directly determine the mass of a galaxy hosting an active supermassive central black hole at a distance of nearly 9 billion light-years from Earth. This pioneering method promises a new approach for studying the co-evolution of galaxies and their central black holes, which typically relies on mass determinations.

Astronomers at the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy have measured for the first time the alignment of magnetic fields in gigantic clouds of gas and dust in a distant galaxy. The results suggest that such magnetic fields play a key role in channelling matter to form denser clouds, and thus in setting the stage for the birth of new stars. The work was published in the November 24 edition 2011 of the journal Nature.

In the collision of neutron stars, the extremely compact remnants of evolved and collapsed stars, two light stars merge to one massive star. The newly-born heavyweight vibrates, sending out characteristic waves in space-time. Model calculations at the Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics now show how such signals can be used to determine the size of neutron stars and how we can learn more about the interior of these exotic objects.