Press Releases

The Oliver Daumke lab and researchers at Freie Universität Berlin have revealed how a protein complex guards the entrance to channels in mitochondrial membranes called cristae. The work, published in “Nature Communications,” provides a blueprint for modeling human proteins in action.

A team headed by Michael Sigal’s lab has revealed how Helicobacter pylori reprograms the stomach lining at the cellular level, allowing cancer to develop. The findings, published “Nature Communications,” pave the way toward prevention.

Using cryo-electron microscopy, the Kudryashev lab has revealed how muscle cell calcium channels open synchronously. The findings, published in “Nature Communications,” may explain a mechanism behind serious muscle diseases.

An international team has created a detailed molecular map of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, one of the most common forms of heart disease. Their findings, published in “Science Translational Medicine,” identify biological pathways that could pave the way for more precise treatments.

Invaginations of the cell membrane called caveolae protect cells from mechanical stress, allow nutrients to enter the cell, and serve as signaling hubs. The teams of Oliver Daumke and Misha Kudryashev now describe in “Nature Communications” the structure of a protein chain that stabilizes caveolae.

The Simon Haas lab and researchers from Heidelberg Faculty of Medicine at Heidelberg University have identified a subgroup of CAR T cells that plays a key role in the success of low-dose therapies and that could potentially serve as a biomarker. The findings are published in “Nature Communications.”

Nikolaus Rajewsky and his team have built a search engine that can scan data from millions of single cells from thousands of experiments worldwide in seconds. The tool, described in “Nature,” makes it possible to answer previously impossible questions about RNA biology.

A seven protein “signature” in blood can indicate successful treatment for vasculitis. The Mertins, Forslund and Kettritz labs report in “Nature Communications” how they used proteomics and AI to identify biomarkers, which could enable more personalized treatment with fewer side effects.

As of August 15, 2026, Kirstin Bodensiek has officially taken the helm as Administrative Director of the Max Delbrück Center. She is stepping into the permanent position after leading the center on an interim basis.

Researchers in the lab of James Poulet have uncovered how the nervous system senses cool and warm temperatures. The findings, published in “Neuron” challenge a long-standing view of temperature sensing and could guide future research into pain and sensory disorders.