circRNAs (zirkuläre RNAs) in neuralen Zellen

Understanding the molecular basis of health and disease

Technology Platform Flow Cytometry

Innovating medical therapies and clinical diagnostics

Technology Platform Bioinformatics

Developing game changing methods and technologies

MDC_Juli_2017_5615.jpg

Supporting scientific education and career development

Research at the MDC

Research at the MDC aims to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of health and disease, and translate those findings into medical practice.

Research

Research Teams

Our independent research teams pursue their research in Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease, Cancer Research, Diseases of the Nervous System, and Medical Systems Biology.

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Discover our research groups
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Scientific Infrastructure

Our scientific infrastructure provides MDC groups with central access to state-of-the-art technologies which would otherwise demand extensive training and financial investment.

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Explore our scientific infrastructure
induced pluripotent stem cells in a pluripotency test

Research News & Events

HIV-infected H9 T cell

1st Immunology & Inflammation (I & I) Conference

MDC.C
A bowl of cereal

How dietary fiber and gut bacteria protect the cardiovascular system

The fatty acid propionate helps defend against the effects of high blood pressure, including atherosclerosis and heart tissue remodeling, a study on mice has found. Gut bacteria produce the substance – which calms the immune cells that drive up blood pressure – from natural dietary fiber.
Colorful image of tumor cells with inhibited Ezh2

Checkmating tumors

Chess and cancer research have one thing in common: One must act strategically to defeat the opponent. And that’s exactly what scientists at the MDC are doing. They are seeking to selectively make only those cancer cells aggressive that would otherwise evade chemotherapy – and then lure them into a trap.
Stonemason
Science

The immune system as a sculptor

Breaks in our DNA are usually undesirable – unless the immune system is at work. A new study conducted by Michela Di Virgilio’s research group and published in „Molecular Cell“ shows how creatively and yet precisely cells can break up their genetic material and piece it back together.
We at the MDC
Institute & Campus

“Too much communication is better than too little”

Power imbalances and dependencies make it difficult to discuss lab conflicts. This is especially the case for PhD students. At the Max Delbrück Center, Matthias Selbach serves as their ombudsman. His advice is to seek help early on. This interview kicks off our “We at the MDC” series.
Escherichia coli under the microscope

Regeneration in the digestive tract

The human gut is teeming with billions of beneficial bacteria. Therapies that use antibiotics often destroy most of them. Whether and how the intestinal flora will subsequently recover has been investigated by a research team that included scientists from the MDC. The results have been published in the scientific journal „Nature Microbiology“.
group photo
Science

Breaking down borders

At the recent systems biology conference in Berlin Mitte, some 400 international researchers came together to forge projects that overcome boundaries between scientific disciplines. Those attending the Berlin Late Summer Meeting also celebrated the impending opening of the new BIMSB research facility and the possibilities it will open up for interdisciplinary collaboration.
Aeon

From Understanding to Tinkering: The Future of Genome Research

CRISPR inspires scientists and artists alike – in different ways. At Berlin Science Week, the MDC presents the result of an artist residency on genome editing and a debate on whether we know enough about the genome to actually use such tools in humans.
Glut1 localization (patient)

Stray proteins cause genetic disorders

Misaddressed proteins are mislocalized, with possibly fatal consequences for the cell.
Microscopic image of a fly’s brain

Predicting the onset and course of Huntington’s disease

The origin of this incurable nervous disease lies in minute fibers formed by chains of the huntingtin protein.
Thomas Südhof presents his work at the MDC
Science

A matter of synapses: Nobel Prize winner Thomas Südhof speaks at the MDC

Thomas Südhof gave a talk at the MDC about the role of neuroligins – a video of his lecture can now be watched online.
Collage of worm images
Science

Tiny worms are helping reprogram human cells

Switching off “safeguard” genes improves cell reprogramming, aiding future regenerative therapies.

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Publications

Interactions between neural decision-making circuits predict long-term dietary treatment success in obesity

Neuroimage

Imaging glioma progression by intravital microscopy

Methods Mol Biol

Identification and regulation of the long non-coding RNA Heat2 in heart failure

J Mol Cell Cardiol

Genotoxic stress-induced senescence

Methods Mol Biol

All Publications