Max Planck Institute for Medical Research
The Max Planck Institute for Medical Research in Heidelberg, is a facility of the Max Planck Society. At the Institute since its foundation, five Nobel Laureates: Otto Fritz Meyerhof ( physiology ), Richard Johann Kuhn (Chemistry), Walther Bothe (physics), Rudolf Mössbauer (Physics) and Bert Sakmann ( Physiology ).
- 4.1 Behavioural Neurophysiology
- 4.2 Development of Neuronal Circuits
- 7.1 IMPRS for Quantum Dynamics in Physics, Chemistry and Biology
- 8.1 Light Microscopy
- 8.2 library
History
The institute was founded in 1930 by Ludolf von Krehl as the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute ( KWImF ) to introduce methods of physics and chemistry in the basic medical research. The departments of chemistry, physiology and biophysics focused on biophysical and chemical problems, in the tradition of natural products chemistry of the Institute. With the Department of Molecular new developments were taken into account in biology in the 1960s. In the late 1980s and during the 1990s investigations began into the specific functions of muscle and nerve cells added. New departments of Cell Physiology (1989-2008), Molecular Cell Research (1992-1999), Molecular Neurobiology (1995), Biomedical Optics (1999) and Biomolecular Mechanisms ( 2002), as well as the Ion Channel Structure Research Group (1997-2003) and of Developmental Genetics ( 1999-2005) founded.
Presence
The institute currently has three departments and two independent research groups. The Department of Molecular Neurobiology focuses on the analysis and transformation of mouse genes whose products are responsible for rapid signaling in the brain and goes to the question of which brain functions are inherited or acquired which. The Department of Biomedical Optics use and continued development of the multi-quantum microscopy, the activity of groups of nerve cells in tissue preparations and in intact animals. Aim of the work of the Department of Biomolecular Mechanisms is to elucidate the molecular basis of model reactions on the basis of biophysical and structural biology.
The Independent Junior Research Group Behavioural Neurophysiology trying to understand how complex behavior emerges from the interaction of many nerve cells are formed. The Independent Research Group development of neuronal circuits has as focus the investigation of the hypothalamus to the elucidation of the molecular mechanisms of development and neuronal circuit formation.
The Emeritus Biophysics is the structure of actin and myosin with atomic resolution.
In the future, among other things, the Institute nerve cells and their connections in the cerebral cortex, responsible for receiving and processing of messages from the sense organs, such as the olfactory, visual and tactile senses, are investigated using molecular genetic, physiological and imaging techniques. In particular, we are interested in how information in the contact points (synapses ) between nerve cells is the wirings stored and retrieved and formed as new contact points and no longer needed to be removed. For these future work will be newly developed gene switches are used, with which the activity of key molecules for rapid signal transmission at points of contact can be controlled between nerve cells. The multiquantum microscopy to be miniaturized and improved the level of penetration to measure activity in the cerebral cortex can be carried out by freely moving mice.
Departments
Biomedical Optics
Under Winfried Denk, the department to develop new methods in biological microscopy, in particular multi-photon microscopy and scanning electron microscopy of serial works.
Biomolecular Mechanisms
The Department of Biomolecular Mechanisms (Director Winfried Denk ) examined ligand binding to heme proteins, the molecular mechanism of allostery in tryptophan synthase, phenol coupling mechanisms in the biosynthesis of vancomycin, specificity and mechanism of NO synthases and the mechanism of two-component signaling proteins.
Molecular Neurobiology
Led by Peter H. Seeburg Department of Molecular Neurobiology investigates mechanisms underlying the plasticity of central nervous synapses, and the importance of these mechanisms for cognitive functions of the brain. Synapses, which represent switching points of communication between nerve cells are not static in structure and performance, but also change these properties in the development and in the adult brain, such as because of learning processes.
It is assumed that memory content is encoded as a particular pattern of synaptic efficiencies in neural networks. Key functions in synapses that serve the excitation line to run from membrane-bound receptors and ion channels, which are by L- glutamate, the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain is activated. Are responsible Which properties of glutamate receptors, but also other synaptic proteins for synaptic plasticity and learning ability in mammals, we investigate on the mouse as a model system for mammalian.
We change these important synaptic function support by modern genetic methods in defined areas of the mouse brain and examine, in collaboration with other laboratories, the sequelae of molecular changes by biochemical and biophysical measurements of nerve cells and their networks, as well as through behavioral tests in animals.
Independent Junior Research Groups
Behavioural Neurophysiology
Led by Andreas T. Schaefer Independent Junior Research Group Behavioural Neurophysiology trying to understand how complex behavior emerges from the interaction of many nerve cells are formed. As a model system they use to the olfactory system of the mouse. To understand how odors are processed in specific brain areas, particularly the olfactory bulb ( olfactory bulb ), the first tier of the olfactory system are modified. This requires both pharmacological manipulation, transgenic mouse models and targeted injections of viral gene vectors are used in selected brain areas. Mice with such a modified olfactory system are then analyzed at different levels - such as single cells and cell connections are changed, as the representation of odors has been affected by the selective manipulation and that the ability to discriminate odors, is improved or deteriorated.
Development of neural circuits
The Independent Junior Research Group development of neuronal circuits ( Soojin Ryu ) has as a focus the investigation of the hypothalamus to the elucidation of the molecular mechanisms of development and neuronal circuit formation.
Research and working groups
- Thomas Euler Group - Signal Processing in the Retina
- Group Wolfgang Kabsch
- Georg Köhr
- Group Anton Meinhart - mRNA Processing
- Group Jochen Reinstein - Molecular Chaperones
- Group Seeburg
- Rolf Sprengel Group
- Witzemann / Koenen - Molecular anatomy of the neuromuscular synapse
Emeritus Group Biophysics
The Emeritus Biophysics under the direction of Kenneth C. Holmes, the structure of actin and myosin with atomic resolution.
Research Schools ( IMPRS )
IMPRS for Quantum Dynamics in Physics, Chemistry and Biology
The IMPRS for Quantum Dynamics in Physics, Chemistry and Biology is a joint initiative of the Max Planck Institute for Nuclear Physics, Ruprecht- Karls- University, the German Cancer Research Center, the Max Planck Institute for Medical Research (all in Heidelberg), and the GSI Helmholtz Centre for Heavy ion Research in Darmstadt.
Other Facilities
Light microscopy
The Light Microscopy Facility at the Max Planck Institute for Medical Research is to provide scientists of the institute and outside offer the use of complex, current methods of light microscopy and light microscopy data analysis, support and training for sample preparation, data acquisition and data analysis as well as communication and promote exchange of experimental experience.
Library
The library of the Max Planck Institute for Medical Research is a scientific presence and special library. It is used for teaching and research in the life sciences, chemistry, biology and physics.