Rhinoceros pluripotent stem cells

Facts and figures

Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association

Mission

The Max Delbrück Center is one of the world’s leading biomedical research centers. Our scientists analyze how the human body works in both health and disease. But above all, their basic research discoveries aim to benefit patients as quickly as possible – whether that’s paving the way for better diagnostics and therapies or preventing healthy people from getting sick.

Year founded

1992

Namesake

Berlin-born Nobel laureate Max Delbrück (1906–1981), one of the founders of molecular biology

Locations

Organizational form

Leadership

Employees

1,179 employees, not including guests

381 guests are also working at the Max Delbrück Center.

(current as of 31.12.2023)

Gender equality

Percentage of women:

  • Overall: 60.5%
  • Scientific research: 61.4%
  • Administration: 58.8%

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Gender Equality Plan 2021-2027

International diversity

Scientists from 64 countries conduct their research at the Max Delbrück Center.

Percentage of foreign scientists: 53.1%

Research program

In the research program "Systems Medicine and Cardiovascular Diseases" the 88 labs at the Max Delbrück Center and at the ECRC (see below) undertake research across our main areas:

The Max Delbrück Center is also home to 18 technology platforms that develop scientific methods and technologies.

Translation – transfer of research findings into medical practice

The Max Delbrück Center has close partnerships with Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin within:

The Max Delbrück Center also cooperates with other university hospitals through the German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK).

The Max Delbrück Center is a founding member of Berlin Research 50 (association of Berlin's non-university research institutions). Founding coordinator of the Life Sciences Section is Thomas Sommer

Scientific excellence

  • 27 scientists at the Max Delbrück Center receive funding from the European Research Council ("ERC grants")
  • Ernst Jung Prize winner: 1 (press release)
  • Leibniz Prize winners: 4
  • EMBO members: 9
  • Leopoldina members: 5
  • Second place among non-university research institutions in the area of life sciences in the DFG Funding Atlas (2018)

Prizes and awards for scientists of the Max Delbrück Center

Publications

More than 800 scientific papers in 2021

Funding

90% from the German federal government (Federal Ministry of Education and Research);
10% from the State of Berlin

Budget

  • €105.5 million from core funding
  • €36.6 million from third-party funding/other income

(current as of 2022)