Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry

The Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry (Karl Friedrich Bonhoeffer Institute ) is a research institute under the auspices of the Max Planck Society (MPG) and has its headquarters in Göttingen.

As the only Max Planck Institute it combines the three traditional disciplines of the natural sciences - biology, physics and chemistry. When it was founded in 1971 initially aligned physico- chemically, since the neuro- biological, biochemical and molecular biology-oriented research areas are continuously expanding.

History

In 1949, the Max Planck Society decided to set up as the successor of the former Berlin Kaiser Wilhelm Institute for Physical Chemistry, the Max Planck Institute for Physical Chemistry in Göttingen. For the first director of this institute Karl Friedrich Bonhoeffer was appointed. As one of the first scientists turned Karl Friedrich Bonhoeffer physicochemical methods on biological problems. So he laid at the former Max Planck Institute for Physical Chemistry of the foundation stone for a interdisciplinary research.

Today's Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry was established in 1971 on the initiative of Nobel Prize winner Manfred Eigen, at the time executive director of the Max Planck Institute for Physical Chemistry. By merging with the Göttingen Max Planck Institute for spectroscopy one of the largest institutes of the Max Planck Society was formed. Karl Friedrich Bonhoeffer in honor of the institute was named after him.

Although the Institute, like all Max - Planck Institutes exclusively conducts basic research, it was the starting point of successful start-ups such as Lambda Physik, DeveloGen and Evotec. About Patents employees, the Institute and the Max Planck Society are also involved in the economic exploitation of its results.

The history of the Institute is connected with numerous awards for outstanding scientific achievements. In 1967 was awarded to Manfred Eigen (then Director of the Max Planck Institute for Physical Chemistry ) the Nobel Prize for Chemistry for his studies of extremely fast chemical reactions. In 1991, Erwin Neher and Bert Sakmann was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for research on ion channels in membranes of nerve cells. In addition to the Nobel Prize numerous other prizes were awarded to scientists of the Institute.

Profile

Scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry explore the basic mechanisms that regulate and control life processes: how the genetic information into proteins is translated and how nerve cells communicate with each other, such as the energy transfer to molecular - level functions, such as cellular logistics is controlled damage or protein aggregates cells. To investigate the cellular cosmos, research joins on organismal level: how living things develop from a single egg cell? How is her sleep -wake cycle is controlled and what happens during sleep? How are organ-specific stem cells and how genetic dysregulation can lead to obesity and metabolic diseases?

To always continue living in the nanoworld cells penetrate, to the Institute an ultra-high resolution microscopy, nanotechnology, magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic resonance spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, optical spectroscopy and atomistic computer simulations. At the same time it sees itself as a nucleus of the development of new and improved measurement and analysis.

Departments and Research Groups

Departments

The Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry currently has twelve departments:

• Patrick Cramer - Molecular Biology
• Gregor Eichele - Genes and Behavior
• Dirk Görlich - Cellular Logistics
• Christian Griesinger - NMR - based Structural Biology
• Helmut Grubmüller - Theoretical and Computational Biophysics
• Peter Gruss - Molecular Cell Biology ( for the period of the Presidency of the Max Planck Society on leave)
• Stefan W. Hell - NanoBiophotonics
• Herbert Jaeckle - Molecular Developmental Biology
• Reinhard Jahn - Neurobiology
• Reinhard Lührmann - Cellular Biochemistry
• Marina Rodnina - Physical Biochemistry
• Alec M. Wodtke - Dynamics at Surfaces

In January 2014 the newly established Department of Molecular Biology, the chemist Patrick Cramer researching it, how the information stored in the genome is read and used. This elementary process of life will analyze the department in the cell and do step by step to the atomic detail visible. The point is to understand the transcription and gene regulation, both at the molecular level as well as at the cellular level. First, the scientists clarify the three-dimensional structure of the RNA polymerases in different functional states. These different methods of structural biology such as X-ray crystallography and electron microscopy to be integrated. Secondly, the cellular regulation of gene expression are systemically analyzed with methods of functional genomics and bioinformatics.

Under the direction of Gregor Eichele the relationship between the on and off of genes ( gene expression ), the development and behavior is examined in the Department of genes and behavior in the mouse model. The scientists involved have the analysis occurring patterns when switching on and off of genes automates the first time, both in the experiments themselves and in their subsequent evaluation. This method was successfully used, among other things when creating a digital atlas of gene expression patterns in the mouse brain, which provides valuable information on genetic regulatory networks in organisms. Another research focus of the department is to control the "internal clock " that determines in animals and humans, among others the sleeping-waking. The researchers hope to clarify how these watches work biochemically and how they are regulated by the complex interplay of genes and light.

The central research theme of the Department of Cellular Logistics of Dirk Görlich is the mass transport between the cytoplasm and the nucleus of the cell. The entire material is exchanged via embedded in the nuclear envelope nuclear pores that act as highly selective and gates are part of a complex transport machinery. Central questions of the department are as substances are differentiated with and without Passiererlaubnis for the nuclear pore so unerringly from one another as the actual transport is accomplished through the nuclear pore and composed as nuclear pores from their precursors and are incorporated into the nuclear envelope.

The Department of NMR-based Structural Biology, headed by Christian Griesinger developed new methods of nuclear magnetic resonance ( NMR ) spectroscopy and applies them to the study of proteins, nucleic acids and their complexes. An important project of the department are studies on the folding of certain proteins that occur in diseases of the nervous system such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's. In addition, proteins are also observed directly in Action and its structural dynamics studied. In addition to the structure determination of soluble proteins are researched and developed to investigate insoluble proteins with the solid-state NMR spectroscopy and methods. Thus, the solid-state NMR spectroscopy is applied directly in the department to study the binding of certain molecules to ion channels and membrane-bound receptors - processes which play a central role in the metabolism of the cell, but also in the effect of toxins.

The main interest of the Department of Theoretical and Computational Biophysics of Helmut Grubmüller is to get functional mechanisms of proteins with the aid of computer simulations on the track. In order to perform their respective tasks, need this " nano-machines of the cell " a well-defined spatial structure. Even the movement of individual atoms is precisely coordinated. With the help of complex computer calculations, the scientists simulate atom at the exact movement of proteins and get more decisive evidence of their functioning.

The central research theme of the Department of Molecular Cell Biology by Peter Gruss is to investigate the molecular basis of differentiation processes. This is known as the Pax gene family, which plays a crucial role in the development of various organs such as the brain, eye, pancreas, of particular interest. Peter Gruss is on leave as a department director during his time as President of the Max Planck Society. Acting Head of the Department is Gregor Eichele.

In the department NanoBiophotonics conducted by Stefan W. Hell new ultra-high resolution laser microscopy methods are researched and developed. The STED microscopy brings out details in the nanometer range visible far below the resolution range of conventional microscopes. While a light microscope can resolve only details that are at least 200 nanometers apart, with new developed in the department process the focus is no longer limited by the wavelength of light. These methods can be used in basic biological research to make the smallest structures inside a living cell, such as organelles or even proteins visible.

Led by Herbert Jaeckle Department of Molecular Developmental Biology research into the genetic mechanisms underlying the development of the egg cell to a complex embryo basis. The researchers examine the example of the fly, cause what controls that consist of a single egg can result in a number of different cell types and organs. Another research focus is the regulation of energy balance, a problem that affects the whole organism. The department investigated in the fly which components regulate fat storage and mobilization, and have what external factors, but also which genes affect obesity.

The main interest of the Neurobiology Department, headed by Reinhard Jahn is to elucidate the molecular basis of fusion of biological membranes. Membrane fusion is a universal phenomenon, one of the fundamental life processes in eukaryotic cells. Each cell is surrounded by a membrane that separates the interior of the cell from the outside world. In addition, cells contain membranumgrenzte compartments, which are in constant communication with each other and with the outer membrane. Serve this purpose transport containers ( vesicles) that are formed by pinch of a precursor membrane and after transport to another location merge with a "target " membrane. Most of these fusion processes are mediated by specific proteins called SNAREs. A special case, the department particularly interested in the form vesicles with substances that are intended for export from the cell, for example, digestive enzymes, hormones or neurotransmitters in nerve cells. In order to release their contents, these vesicles must fuse with the outer membrane of the cell. Here are those SNARE proteins involved in nerve cells in the release of neurotransmitters, in the center of the research. The Department examined how to work the SNAREs, other proteins with which they interact and by which molecular mechanisms membrane fusion is controlled.

Under the direction of Reinhard Lührmann the molecular machines are examined in the Department of Cellular Biochemistry, which make the rough draft of a messenger RNA a readable template for the construction of proteins. The construction plans of all proteins are archived in the genetic material in the nucleus. You are first copied into a rough draft of the messenger RNA, must be removed from the then still unnecessary portions. Cutting out unnecessary portions from the rough draft of the messenger RNA is done using a highly complex molecular machine, the spliceosome. It consists of five sub- particles, so-called Snurps which are each composed of a ribonucleic acid and a variety of proteins. The scientists investigate with biochemical and structural methods the structure and function of each Snurps and their regulated assembly into a functional spliceosome.

Headed by Marina Rodnina Department of Physical Biochemistry investigates how the cellular protein factories, ribosomes work. Ribosomes are of great molecular complexity and make the production of proteins surprisingly few errors. This is essential because a single wrong block can make the whole protein inoperable. How does the ribosome to keep the error rate so low and what mechanisms allow essential exceptions, therefore, is a research focus of the department. To answer these questions, the researchers biophysical methods such as fluorescence spectroscopy and fast kinetic techniques employ. In addition, the researchers analyze the structural dynamics of the ribosome: While the ribosome is a protein assembles step by step, it changes at the same rate also its spatial structure. Using biophysical and biochemical methods is investigated which molecular processes underlying this structural change.

In the department Dynamics at Surfaces, led by Alec M. Wodtke, chemical reactions at interfaces are investigated. In particular, the elucidation of the laws that control the energy conversion at interfaces, this is the focus. For their research uses a laser, the department of advanced technology, molecular beams and ultra-high vacuum technology to resolve the individual energy transfer steps between molecules in time and be able to examine isolated. Based on these studies, the researchers develop new ideas and theories to molecular interactions at interfaces.

Research Groups

A particular concern of the Institute is the promotion of young scientists, which is also reflected in the large number of 31 independent research groups.

Emeritus

Directors of the Institute can actively pursue their research as Emeritus after her retirement for several years.

• Thomas Jovin - Laboratory for Cellular Dynamics
• Erwin Neher - Membrane Biophysics
• Jürgen Troe - Spectroscopy and Photochemical Kinetics

Former Departments

Some of the former directors are continuing their work even after her time as director of a department and Emeritus and continue to be about the Institute can be reached directly (*).

• Otto Detlev Creutzfeldt - Neurobiology (1971-1992)
• Manfred Eigen ( *) - Biochemical Kinetics ( 1971-1995 )
• Dieter Gallwitz (*) - Molecular Genetics ( 1985-2004 )
• Manfred Kahlweit - kinetics of phase formation (1971-1996)
• Hans Kuhn - Molecular System Design (1971-1984)
• Leo de Maeyer - Experimental Methods (1971-1996)
• Bert Sakmann - Cell Physiology (1985-1988)
• Fritz Peter Schäfer - Laser Physics (1971-1994)
• Hans Strehlow - electrochemistry and reaction kinetics (1971-1984)
• Klaus Weber - Biochemistry and Cell Biology (1973-2004)
• Albert Weller - Spectroscopy (1971-1990)
• Victor P. Whittaker - Neurochemistry (1973-1987)

Biomedical NMR Research GmbH

The independent Research Centre Biomedical NMR Research GmbH was founded in 1993 under the leadership of Jens Frahm. The aim of his research team is to develop imaging methods used in nuclear magnetic resonance ( NMR) and apply for non-invasive studies of the central nervous system of animals and humans. These methods allow direct insight into the anatomy, metabolism and the function of the central nervous system and contribute to the understanding of human brain diseases in.

Events of the Institute

To make the research at the Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry also visible to the public, the Institute organized a number of different activities. In addition to guided tours for visiting groups and school classes were raised in generally understandable, public lectures repeatedly before individual departments and research groups of the Institute. As part of the annual conference organized by the city of Göttingen "Göttingen Week - Science and Youth " students are invited to the research at the Institute to experience first hand. " Open days " offer interested parties the opportunity to visit the departments and research groups directly.

Cooperation with the University of Göttingen and other research institutions

The Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry cooperates closely with the University of Göttingen. In addition to active participation in teaching, this is shown in various collaborative projects and joint research institutions such as the European Neuroscience Institute (ENI ), the DFG Research Center Molecular Physiology of the Brain ( CMPB ) and the Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience ( BCCN ).

The ENI Göttingen is a collaborative project with the University of Göttingen and the Max Planck Institute for Experimental Medicine since 2000. It is dedicated to experimental research about the functions and diseases of the nervous system and long-term aim to support the treatment of diseases of the nervous system such as schizophrenia, Parkinson's or Alzheimer's.

The DFG Research CMBP is a consortium of research groups from the University of Göttingen, the Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry and Experimental Medicine and the German Primate Center (DPZ ). The aim of the research center is to better understand the molecular processes and interactions between nerve cells in the long term to improve therapies for psychiatric, neurological and neurodegenerative diseases and develop.

The Bernstein Center Göttingen was officially opened in 2007 and is jointly supported by the Georg- August- University, the Max Planck Institutes for Biophysical Chemistry and for Dynamics and Self-Organization and the German Primate Center. Scientists are investigating the neural basis of achievements of the brain on the basis of mathematical models. Another goal of the research is to apply innovative techniques in the field of robotics and neuro- prosthetics.

International Max Planck Research Schools ( IMPRS )

Two International Max Planck Research Schools ( IMPRS ) were 2000 - launched - together with the University of Göttingen, the Max Planck Institute for Experimental Medicine and the German Primate Center: the IMPRS for Molecular Biology and the IMPRS for Neurosciences ( with further participation the Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization Göttingen and the ENI ). In an IMPRS is an English doctoral program to recruit mainly foreign students. Speaker of the IMPRS for Molecular Biology is Reinhard Jahn, Speaker of the IMPRS for Neurosciences Erwin Neher.

Since 2008, a third, graduate school, the IMPRS for Physics of Biological and Complex Systems. The offer is aimed at highly qualified young scientists from Germany and abroad. Starting with a Bachelor ( B.Sc.) or equivalent degree leading programs in 18 months at a Master of Science ( M.Sc.) and in a total of 4 years for doctoral (PhD).

Infrastructure

In early 2012, a total of 850 employees at the institute.