Max-Planck-Institut für molekulare Physiologie

“From molecule to man.” This simple phrase, the motto of the Max-Planck-Institut für molekulare Physiologie, encapsulates the vast scope of research happening right here in Dortmund. The Max-Planck-Institut für molekulare Physiologie isn’t just a building. It’s a vibrant hub of scientific discovery, where researchers delve into the intricate world of our cells. Established next to the Technical University of Dortmund, the Max-Planck-Institut für molekulare Physiologie is part of the prestigious Max Planck Society, a network of over 80 institutes dedicated to fundamental research. The institute itself is home to approximately 500 staff members, each contributing to the advancement of our understanding of molecular physiology. The institute’s roots trace back to 1913, when it was founded as the Kaiser-Wilhelm Institut für Arbeitsphysiologie by Max Rubner. During the First World War, the institute’s focus shifted to wartime nutrition, developing food substitutes and aptitude tests for various tasks. The Max-Planck-Institut für molekulare Physiologie is organized into four distinct departments. The Department of Mechanistic Cell Biology unravels the mysteries of cell division, focusing on the proteins that orchestrate this complex process. The Department of Systemic Cell Biology studies how signals within cells regulate crucial functions like tissue growth. The Department of Structural Biochemistry delves into the architecture of membrane proteins, exploring mechanisms like muscle contraction and bacterial toxin infection. Finally, the Department of Chemical Biology bridges chemistry and biology, developing tools to investigate vital biological processes. Here, at the Max-Planck-Institut für molekulare Physiologie, researchers don’t just study molecules. They study life itself.