Recent News
AWARD: Professor Nikolaus Rajewsky of the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) Berlin has been awarded the highest honour in German research, the Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize
Nikolaus Rajewsky is Professor of Systems Biology at the MDC and Charité and is the scientific head of the Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology (BIMSB).
His field of research is Systems Biology combining molecular biology, biochemistry, mathematics and physics to determine the function of gene regulatory elements such as microRNAs. He has characterized by experimental and computational techniques the role that microRNAs play in gene regulation, including those genes which govern the onset of disease. Thus, establishing a new research area for the discovery of targets for therapeutic approaches.
Professor Rajewsky has already received a number of academic distinctions, such as the 2009 Science Prize of the Governing Mayor of Berlin. In 2010 he was further elected member of the European Organisation for Molecular Biology (EMBO). He became Global Distinguished Professor of Biology at New York University, USA in 2008.
More information about Nikolaus Rajewsky, his work and the Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize:
Press release of the MDC (in English)
Press release of the DFG (in German)
Die Zeit interview (in German)
EMBO interview (in English)
BIMSB Flyer (in English)
Homepage of the Nikolaus Rajewsky lab
BIMSB and NYU faculty with students from the joint PhD exchange program (Photo/Copyright: MDC)
STUDENT UPDATE: Group Leaders and students from Berlin travelled to New York at the beginning of December 2011 to participate in the NYU Developmental Genetics Conference and to further integrate their projects with the labs of their NYU partners.
BIMSB and NYU faculty presented their research in a day-long seminar and a lively poster session, including newly recruited scientists from either side. We welcome in particular new members of NYU faculty who introduced themselves and their work at the joint meeting.
The third session of the MDC-NYU PhD thesis advisory committees were held to provide directed student support and further consolidate bilateral collaboration opportunities.
(Photo: Xintian You/Copyright: MDC)
STUDENT UPDATE: Na Li successfully defends her doctoral thesis
Na Li (Chen Group) has successfully defended her doctoral thesis "Global profiling of miRNA and the hairpin precursor: insights into miRNA processing and novel miRNA discovery" with the grade magna cum laude at the Department of Biology, Chemistry and Pharmacy of Freie Universität Berlin.
Examiners: Prof. Dr. Constance Scharff and Prof. Dr. Dr. Ralf Einspanier.
This research was funded by the China Scholarship Council and the MDC.
PUBLICATION: doRiNA: a database of RNA interactions in post-transcriptional regulation
The first open access database for post-transcriptional regulatory elements has recently been published by BIMSB researchers: doRiNA stands for database of RNA interactions in post-transcriptional regulation. At http://dorina.mdc-berlin.de scientists can now search data from the UCSD genome browser for RNA-protein-interaction sites. The database can be searched either with a target (mRNA) or a regulator (RBP and/or miRNA) centric view. The new version of the PicTar prediction tool is provided additionally to this sophisticated combinatorial search tool.
NEW LECTURE SERIES: In collaboration with colleagues spanning both Campus Buch and Berlin, the systems biology Ringvorlesung continues into winter semester 2011 with the topic of Cell Signaling. All are welcome to attend. More information to be found here.
Chancellor Angela Merkel pushed the start button for a new state-of-the-art DNA sequencer during her visit at the BIMSB of the MDC Berlin-Buch. Looking on are Dr. Jonas Korlach, co-inventor of the technology of Pacific Biosciences and a native Berliner, Dr. Wei Chen (in front), head of the Scientific Genomics Platform at BIMSB. In the background Federal Minister of Education and Research, Annette Schavan, and Professor Nikolaus Rajewsky (l.), head of the BIMSB of the MDC. (Photo: David Ausserhofer/Copyright: MDC)
Chancellor Angela Merkel Presses Starts Button for New State-of-the-Art Sequencer at the Max Delbrück Center in Berlin - Extended Potential for Medical Systems Biology
Chancellor Angela Merkel pushed the start button for a new state-of-the-art DNA sequencer during her visit on Tuesday, September 13, 2011 at the Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology (BIMSB) of the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) Berlin-Buch.
The BIMSB is the first academic research institution in Continental Europe to use this sequencer for research. With this device from Pacific Biosciences it is possible to sequence single DNA molecules in real time and gain deeper insight into gene regulation. Dr. Jonas Korlach, co-inventor of the PacBio technology and a native Berliner, was present at the ceremony. The Sanger Institute in the United Kingdom is currently the only other research institution in Europe with this sequencer.
MDC's press release in English
Press release from Pacific Biosciences
Student Seminar in Systems Biology at the MDC
Every second Friday, our students present their work in progress and invite fellow students and scientific faculty to join in our lively discussion. The next seminar will take place on February 17, 2012, 12:00 noon at the Max Delbrück Communications Center.
All are welcome to attend.
