Women in Science

Cryo-electron microscopy allows structural biologists to look at the most minute building blocks of life. We celebrated the opening of the joint Core Facility and the corresponding research building of Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin and the Max Delbrück Center with a symposium.

Dr. Isolde Dietrich was instrumental in developing cryo-electron microscopy. But who was she? One thing is certain: physics was her passion. And she wanted to make it easier for younger female colleagues to enter science. The Max Delbrück Center is now dedicating a research building in her name.

The UNIPRENEURS Initiative has recognized the entrepreneurial spirit of 20 professors, among them ECRC researcher Simone Spuler. As a co-founder of the startup MyoPax, she is pioneering stem cell technology to develop regenerative therapies for previously incurable muscle diseases.

The stem cell therapy developed by MyoPax, a spin-off from the Max Delbrück Center and Charité, could soon be helping children with previously incurable muscle diseases thanks to an accelerated approval process. The necessary clinical trial will start in the fall.

In June 2023, the Max Delbrück Center was awarded the “berufundfamilie” certificate for the fifth time – a sign of the center’s commitment to its employees. For “We at the MDC”, Petra Nibbe, head of People and Culture, explains how the institute intends to position itself as an attractive place to work.

22 young women and girls had the opportunity to experience the day-to-day life of an IT specialist at the Corporate IT or as a researcher at the Max Delbrück Center in Berlin-Buch and Mitte during the Girls’Day event. Boys’Day was also held at the same time.

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.

Reflections on equity in science: How can the progress that has been made teach us to overcome the challenges that remain? Professor Maike Sander, Scientific Director of the Max Delbrück Center, and Raeka Aiyar, PhD, Vice President, Scientific & DEIB Outreach of the NYSCF Research Institute chatted about how far we’ve come and the road ahead.

Chromatin factors are involved in regulating gene expression. If they do not function properly, this can result in neurological impairments. Ana Pombo and Alexander Kukalev are now receiving almost €400,000 from the DFG for a research project that aims to shed more light on how these factors work.

MyoPax develops regenerative therapies for previously incurable muscle diseases. An interview with co-founders Prof. Simone Spuler and Dr. Verena Schöwel-Wolf, now board member and CEO respectively