group of people

Our People

One Max Delbrück Center, more than 1,800 stories

Researcher profiles

Melissa Birol
Science

The decrypter of cryptic proteins

How do disordered proteins drive neurological diseases? Dr. Melissa Birol uses advanced imaging and brain organoids to uncover the hidden functions of these mysterious proteins. She hopes to find novel ways to treat incurable diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
Jakob Metzger
Science

The juggler of numbers

Jakob Metzger has developed a new generation of brain organoids that are easier to mass-produce and uniform. The data they provide on rare neurological diseases can speed up the time it takes to find new therapies.
woman with a scientific chip
Science

The innovator

As Scientific Director of Max Delbrück Center, Maike Sander is driving a bold shift toward interdisciplinary research to address the health challenges of our time. As a diabetes researcher, her next frontier is to use organ-on-a-chip technologies to build more accurate models of the human pancreas.
Ashley Sanders
Science

The pioneer of single-cell sequencing

Ashley Sanders, Group Leader of the Genome Instability and Somatic Mosaicism Lab, developed a technique to sequence strands of DNA in single cells. Today it is the most accurate method to detect DNA rearrangements. She hopes the technique will help reveal clues on how diseases develop.
Fabian Coscia
Science

The surveyor of cellular proteins

Fabian Coscia combines mass spectrometry at the single-cell level, artificial intelligence, microscopy and robotics to search for the proteins in cells that are responsible for serious diseases such as cancer – and that can make them resistant to therapies. His hope: to save lives.
scientist looking out of a window
Science

The discoverer of hearts

Science has something exploratory about it, says Norbert Hübner. You never know exactly where you are heading. Despite this, cartographic works are the focus of his interest: the researcher creates atlases of the human heart. And amongst other things, he uses them to understand heart conditions better.
Hanna Hörnberg
Science

The behavior analyzer

Behavior can be observed in the brain. Swedish neuroscientist Hanna Hörnberg looks for the molecular and cellular changes that occur in the nerve cells of people with depression or neurodevelopmental conditions – and hopes to create new basic knowledge that can help diagnosis and guide support needs.
Katja Simon
Science

A pioneer in immune cell rejuvenation

Cells continually renew themselves by “digesting” unused cellular material. This mechanism is called autophagy – an area in which immunologist Katja Simon has specialized. She has devised ways to use it to slow down the aging of immune cells.
Dominik Müller
Science

The salt scientist

Dominik Müller investigates how lifestyle affects the molecular regulation processes in the body – such as how a high-sodium diet impacts the immune system and cardiovascular health. In doing so, he deliberately transcends the boundaries between disciplines.
Carmen Birchmeier
Science

The cartographer of life

Muscle cells are very good at repairing damage. But if this fails, stem cells step in to regenerate the tissue. Carmen Birchmeier investigates the molecular signaling pathways that underlie these and other vital mechanisms.
Thoralf Niendorf hält die Nachbildung eines Herzen in der erhobenen Hand
Science

The image-maker

When physicist Thoralf Niendorf encounters the impossible, it spurs his creativity. Using ultra high-resolution MRI technology, he peers deeper and deeper into healthy and diseased tissue. He develops novel methods that visualize biological processes within the cell.

 

More researcher profiles

We at the MDC

The Max Delbrück Center is committed to providing an attractive work environment for all employees. We offer outstanding infrastructure, collaboration with top researchers, and a vibrant community. Read our series of articles "We at the MDC" for an introduction to the diverse group of people who make this happen.
Yun-Hsuan Huang
Science

Furthering careers through scientific exchange

Yun-Hsuan Huang spent two intense weeks at the University of Edinburgh as part of the Max Delbrück Center’s PhD exchange program in Medical Systems Biology. She returned with new skills, scientific insights – and a broader outlook on research and collaboration.
Group of people
Institute & Campus

One of the best places to work in Berlin

According to a survey conducted by the ‘Sozialwissenschaftliches Institut Schad’, the Max Delbrück Center is one of Berlin's best employers and training companies. A good 600 companies took part in the survey, and around 100 received the award – making them ‘Berlins Beste’.
Kathrin Saar und Aileen Cunningham
Institute & Campus

“As a female scientist, you have to work harder”

Two women, one mission: Kathrin Saar, our newly elected Equal Opportunities Officer at the Max Delbrück Center, and her deputy Aileen Cunningham want to make women in science more visible and promote equality within our institution.
Large group photo of attendees waving at Summer Science Day 2025 outside a research facility.
Institute & Campus

Summer Science Day 2025: Uniting under one goal

Lab tours, lively talks, music and awards – Summer Science Day 2025 brought the Max Delbrück Center community together like never before. In addition to food and games, this year's new format created space to spark dialogue across our diverse teams.
Bersucher*innen bei einem Vortrag beim Pride Symposium
Institute & Campus

Meeting adversity with resilience

Supporting each other and standing up for our values: Resilience is the theme of the 4th MDC Pride Symposium, hosted by our LGBTQI+ community on July 18 at MDC-BIMSB. For the first time, researchers will also take part in the Berlin Christopher Street Day parade under the Max Delbrück Center banner.
Portrait Stan Gorski
Institute & Campus

Stan Gorski takes the helm of Strategic Initiatives

Stan Gorski has been appointed Head of Strategic Initiatives. He and his team aim to drive strategic developments in areas such as spatial biomedicine, AI, bioengineering and precision prevention. They will also strengthen collaborations among institutions and help set a bold agenda for the future.
Group photo of participants at the WAMBIAN Bio-Imaging Workshop holding a banner with event details.
Science

A microscopy network in West Africa

Senegalese scientists gained hands-on microscopy and image analysis training during a workshop to strengthen regional biomedical research capacity in Africa. The workshop was headed by Peran Hayes, who will present the project as a contestant in this year’s EU-LIFE Science Vision Talk Contest.
Zia-Kongress Fellows Group
Science

More visibility for female scientists

The Zia fellowship supports young female researchers in their professional and personal development. Interested applicants can apply for next year’s fellowship in July and August. Evangelia Nathanail from the Max Delbrück Center is a current fellow — and highly recommends the program.
Anne Ziemke
Institute & Campus

Fostering cooperation

Starting in May, Anne Ziemke will head the staff unit Strategic Programs, Resources, and Implementation at the Max Delbrück Center. She aims to further improve the conditions for excellent research and to forge closer collaboration with other research institutions.
heads
Institute & Campus

We are here to listen: the First Contact Points

Is your colleague notoriously argumentative? Too much pressure from the boss? In stressful situations or conflicts at work, a confidential conversation with an independent third party can help. At the Max Delbrück Center, 17 employees serve as “First Contact Points” (FCPs). Meet four of them.
skyline
Institute & Campus

“Seize the chance – it’s worth it!”

Doctoral student Philipp Roth went to New York as part of the Max Delbrück Center Exchange Program in Medical Systems Biology. In this interview, he discusses his research collaboration with a lab at NYU and how the exchange benefitted him in ways he could not have imagined.
Woman
Institute & Campus

Strengthening Helmholtz Health collaboration

Caroline Schweiger-Eisbacher is the new Scientific Advisor to the Vice President of Helmholtz Health, Maike Sander. In this role, Schweiger-Eisbacher helps facilitate collaboration and communication across the Helmholtz Health network.
Dilek Güven
Institute & Campus

Promoting diversity, strengthening community

Practiced in the art of bringing diverse groups of people together, Dilek Güven joins the Max Delbrück Center as our new Diversity Coordinator. “We are already diverse. I want to find ways to further our sense of togetherness,” she says.
Visual
Institute & Campus

Driving conversations on diversity

During the second annual Diversity Week, our community took part in a series of events. They ranged from simulating the environments of disabled people, to discussing the importance of a diverse workplace. The aim was to raise awareness and to foster a welcoming work environment for everyone.
Holger Gerhardt im Cafe
Institute & Campus

“We want to make the campus more communicative”

Coffee after 2 p.m. is a must — this was the motivation that drove plans for a new café on the Berlin-Buch campus. Professor Holger Gerhardt has been involved in the project from the start. We up him at the café not long after its opening.
Oscar Sánchez-Carranza und Jeanne Mbebi
Science

A practical test for postdocs

For some researchers, a career in industry would never be an option. Others appreciate the practical relevancy of working at a company. Postdocs at the Max Delbrück Center can find out which path is right for them through the “Academy meets Industry” program.
Gruppenbild
Institute & Campus

Max Delbrück Center honors our silent heroes

At the Max Delbrück Center summer party, employees Daniela Dixon, Matthias Runow and Ingrid Ziegenhagen won this year’s Silent Hero Award. The award recognizes the commitment of employees whose hard work behind the scenes keeps our research running smoothly.
a mentor and a mentee in a lab
Institute & Campus

Mentoring: a boost for your career

Without great scientists, there is no great research. For this reason, the Max Delbrück Center supports young researchers and science managers through various mentoring programs – both internally and externally. In this installment of “We at MDC,” mentees and mentors talk about their experiences.
Green Lab
Institute & Campus

Greening the Lab: Together for Sustainability

Christian Panetzky is on a mission to make the Max Delbrück Center more sustainable. For our "We at the MDC" series, the new Sustainability Coordinator shares his ideas and how he plans to motivate colleagues to get involved.

 

Further articles

Young scientists

In our interview format "Lunch Break" we talk to young scientists about their path to the Max Delbrück Center, their interests and much more.
© Felix Petermann, MDC
© Felix Petermann, MDC
© Felix Petermann, MDC

Science and art have a lot in common, at least when you look at it from Anita Waltho's perspective. In the second episode of “LUNCH BREAK“, she talks cellular trash, creativity in science and Berlin-Brandenburg's lakes.

© Felix Petermann, MDC

Ian Erik Stewart doesn't like to completely give up work in his free time. Together with other scientists, he founded "EDGE" - an organisation dedicated to make neuroscience understandable through art. He reveals more in our new "Lunch Break" video series.

Newcomers

Woman
Institute & Campus

Strengthening Helmholtz Health collaboration

Caroline Schweiger-Eisbacher is the new Scientific Advisor to the Vice President of Helmholtz Health, Maike Sander. In this role, Schweiger-Eisbacher helps facilitate collaboration and communication across the Helmholtz Health network.
Dilek Güven
Institute & Campus

Promoting diversity, strengthening community

Practiced in the art of bringing diverse groups of people together, Dilek Güven joins the Max Delbrück Center as our new Diversity Coordinator. “We are already diverse. I want to find ways to further our sense of togetherness,” she says.
Abeer Hassan
Science

Studying how mechanical forces induce neuronal growth

For the next two years, Abeer Hassan will be a visiting postdoctoral fellow in Gary Lewin’s lab at Max Delbrück Center – going back and forth between Rehovot and Berlin. She seeks to learn more about the mechanisms through which mechanical forces stimulate neurons to elongate, especially after birth.
Della Nelva
Science

Searching for signatures of stress in the brain

Nella Christie Delva joins the lab of Annette Hammes-Lewin’s as a Fulbright scholar. Over the next few months, she will study how environmental stressors cause genetic and neural changes in the brain during development, which can lead to mental health disorders.
woman
Science

From research to application

The Max Delbrück Center proudly welcomes Dr. Nevine Shalaby as the new Head of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Department. With a rich background in genetics and industry, she aims to drive research impact, foster spin-offs, and strengthen industry partnerships, aligned with the Strategy 2030.
man
Press Release No. 26 Berlin

New in Berlin: tumor immunologist Johannes Huppa

Johannes Huppa has taken up the professorship for tumor immunology at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin as of September 1. The T-cell receptor expert will also conduct research at the Max Delbrück Center in Berlin-Buch and the German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK).
Organ on a chip
Science

Growing vascularized organs on a chip

Organ-on-a-chip technologies can serve as models of human biology. But they have been limited by the inability to grow them with a vascular system. Bioengineer Professor Milica Radisic will begin a three-year fellowship at the Max Delbrück Center in Berlin-Buch to take on the challenge.
Markus Mittnenzweig
Science

Following cells on their path to development

It borders on the miraculous how an entire animal emerges from a single egg cell. In order to understand the underlying molecular mechanisms, Markus Mittnenzweig is establishing the Computational and Developmental Biology Lab at the Max Delbrück Center.
Sarah Hedtrich
Science

Welcome, Sarah Hedtrich!

Sarah Hedtrich heads a guest group at the Max Delbrück Center. The Johanna Quandt Professor at the Berlin Institute of Health at Charité (BIH) is working on organ-on-a-chip models to develop new treatment options for rare hereditary and inflammatory skin and lung diseases.
Michael Robson
Science

Unwinding clues to disease in DNA’s 3D structure

The Robson lab at the Max Delbrück Center will be studying how the 3D structure of chromatin controls genes during development and in disease. Leveraging novel single cell methods, they will look at muscular dystrophies and retinal disease. Both seem to be linked to mutations that disrupt the function of non-coding DNA.

 

Further articles 

Reading tips

In our article series "What are you reading?" scientists and staff members of the Max Delbrück Center provide their book recommendations.

Emeriti

Our professors shape the Max Delbrück Center through their research and their work. We maintain close ties and promote exchange among former colleagues and our scientists.

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