News

Karin Jacobi has since 1992 headed the Animal Facilities at the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC). The veterinarian, a pioneer of modern animal facilities who began her career at one of the predecessor institutes of the MDC, is now retiring.

The fatty acid propionate helps defend against the effects of high blood pressure, including atherosclerosis and heart tissue remodeling, a study on mice has found. Gut bacteria produce the substance – which calms the immune cells that drive up blood pressure – from natural dietary fiber.

A toast to our young scientists: On November 30, 2018, the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) held a graduation ceremony for the 50 students who completed their PhDs at the MDC over the course of 2018.

Several times a year, the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) opens its doors to teachers for further education courses such as “Lab meets teacher.” In November 2018, STEM teachers met at the MDC to exchange best practice teaching ideas at the Science on Stage festival.

Chess and cancer research have one thing in common: One must act strategically to defeat the opponent. And that’s exactly what scientists at the MDC are doing. They are seeking to selectively make only those cancer cells aggressive that would otherwise evade chemotherapy – and then lure them into a trap.

Breaks in our DNA are usually undesirable – unless the immune system is at work. A new study conducted by Michela Di Virgilio’s research group and published in „Molecular Cell“ shows how creatively and yet precisely cells can break up their genetic material and piece it back together.

Professor Ralf Dechend and Professor Dominik N. Müller were awarded the Franz Gross Science Prize of the Deutsche Hochdruckliga. The German Society for Hypertension and Prevention presented its most prestigious award at its annual congress on 23 November 2018.

Power imbalances and dependencies make it difficult to discuss lab conflicts. This is especially the case for PhD students. At the Max Delbrück Center, Matthias Selbach serves as their ombudsman. His advice is to seek help early on. This interview kicks off our “We at the MDC” series.

The MRI study center at the Max Delbrück Center has already examined 5,000 participants as part of the nationwide German National Cohort (GNC). We talked to Professor Thoralf Niendorf, head of the MRI center, about what’s happening with the data – and Annett Anacker, the 5,000th participant in Berlin, tells us why she’s taking part.

Another milestone has been reached: In November 2018, the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) welcomed the 5,000th participant at the MRI center of the German National Cohort (GNC) health study.