Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine

The MDC Mission

The Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC) carries out basic biomedical research with the aim of understanding the molecular basis of health and disease, and translating these findings as quickly as possible into clinical application. The research involves the diagnosis and treatment of diseases, as well as their prevention.

MDC 25 years

Research We investigate the molecular basis of health and disease in four research areas: cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, cancer, diseases of the nervous system and medical systems biology.
Translation We want the general public to benefit from our research, so we place a special emphasis on technology transfer and translating our research to the clinics.
Training We train the next generation of scientists and provide all our employees with a stimulating environment and training opportunities.

Research Highlights

A protein in the brain links body weight, metabolism and activity

For many obese people gaining weight is a vicious cycle. Scientists at the MDC have now uncovered a contributing factor: genetic variants linked to obesity cause the brain to produce too much of a protein called Cadm1. The result is a disruption in the regulation of body weight and changes in behavior and metabolism, as reported by Matthew Poy and his colleagues in Nature Neuroscience.

Reconstructing life at its beginning, cell by cell

In a technological tour de force, Berlin scientists have created a virtual model of an early fly embryo. Its interactive interface allows researchers to explore the blueprint that underlies development at unprecedented spatial resolution and predict which cells express which genes.

Further research highlights

News

MDC receives funding to collaborate on Human Cell Atlas

16 October, 2017

The Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) in Berlin is participating as a research partner in the Human Cell Atlas (HCA). The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative has now announced that it will provide financial support for the HCA’s sub-project “Towards a Human Cardiac Cell Atlas.”

Preeclampsia triggered by an overdose of gene activity

06 October, 2017

Preeclampsia, the most dangerous form of hypertension during a pregnancy is known to originate in the placenta, but the root causes remain a mystery. MDC researchers recently revealed that epigenetically regulated genes play an important role in the disease.

BIH, MDC and Charité sign cooperation agreement with Sanofi in Germany

05 October, 2017

The BIH, the Charité, the MDC and Sanofi, Germany signed a joint research framework agreement in Berlin. In the future, the institutions will work together closely on the development of novel therapies for various diseases.

Further news on MDC Insights