News

The regulation of genes is incredibly complex – and even a bit more complex than was previously thought – shows a new study in “Molecular Cell”. In the genes which determine the fate of every cell, a splitting of the DNA double helix is not a reason for cellular despair, but is part of an important safety mechanism.

The MINT400 Forum in Berlin brings together teachers and schoolchildren from all over Germany. Two researchers from the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) are offering workshops at the networking meeting – partly because one of them was once a teacher himself.

A new MDC study may resolve a decades-old debate in immunology: A team led by Prof. Klaus Rajewsky reports in Science that distinct progenitor cells are not required for the development of B1 cells. Instead, the team’s experiments show that a particular type of B-cell receptor can reprogram B2 cells into B1 cells, suggesting that B1 cells emerge as a consequence of their special B-cell receptors.

In late February, the MDC will be hosting the first Immunology & Inflammation Conference – or I & I Conference – in Berlin. We spoke with the two organizers, Professors Michela Di Virgilio and Klaus Rajewsky, about the conference’s aims and its program.

For the “International Day of Girls and Women in Science” on 11 February 2019, the Berlin Institute of Health (BIH) presents ten video portraits of inspirational women scientists. Among them are four videos about scientists working at the MDC.

Professor Thomas Willnow wants to find out how the ApoE3 gene variant protects against Alzheimer’s. The MDC group leader has now received €80,000 in funding from the non-profit Alzheimer Forschung Initiative to pursue this research.

In late January, the Anti-Harassment Task Force started its work at the MDC. More than 50 employees from all areas and across all hierarchies will develop guidelines for respectful interaction. To mark the launch of the task force, we spoke with the project facilitator, Professor Sabine Oertelt-Prigione.

The brand new MDC-made ORION Open Science podcast explores the issues behind the Open Science movement through interviews and conversations. The first full episode on ‘Open Science and postgraduate careers’ launches January 31st.

MDC scientists conduct excellent research. This includes rigorously following the rules of good scientific practice, ensuring a respectful work environment, and providing young scientists with comprehensive support. Here is the MDC’s statement on current reporting in Spiegel Online.

Live forever thanks to CRISPR? This summer, the artist Emilia Tikka was a guest at the MDC. Her work focused on the question: What if CRISPR-Cas9 could make us immortal? The exhibition and a mini symposium are now documented on video.