Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine

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

Circular RNA linked to brain function

For the first time, scientists have shown that circular RNA is linked to brain function. When a RNA molecule called Cdr1as was deleted from the genome of mice, the animals had problems filtering out unnecessary information – like patients suffering from neuropsychiatric disorders.

Cutting cancer’s lifeline

A new study in the journal Nature reveals that a small signaling molecule has the ability to cut off the blood supply to tumors. This allows the immune system’s T-cells to indirectly fight cancer.

Further research highlights

News

How mice babies ensure mother’s protection

31 July, 2017

The calls of new-born mice draw the attention of their mother. A group of neuronal cells in the brain stem, which coordinate exhalation and tension of muscles in the larynx is essential for this process. Without these cells, the mice are mute. These are the results of a study by a research team at the Max Delbrück Center in Berlin, which appears in the journal PNAS. The cries of human babies may well depend on similar connections, which could also be impaired in speech disorders.

Biomarkers for identifying Tumor Aggressiveness

26 July, 2017

A Berlin study of patients with early-stage colon cancer shows that DNA repair mechanisms and MACC1 gene activity helps determine prognosis and predict response to chemotherapy.

Largest nationwide health study NAKO in Berlin: 3,000th participant examined in MRI scanner

20 July, 2017

We have reached the half-way mark. Ute Radeklau from Berlin is the 3,000th person to be examined in the Berlin Ultrahigh Field Facility at the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the context of the largest German health study NAKO. It took a good hour to take a thousand MRI images of her.

Further news on MDC Insights