Press Releases

In the foreground: The image shows a head-and-shoulders portrait of Matthias Mann and Wolfgang Baumeister.
Background: dark blue with a grid of orange dots.

Matthias Mann and Wolfgang Baumeister Receive Prestigious 2026 Gairdner International Awards

March 31, 2026

The director and the director emeritus of the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry (MPIB) are receiving the award for their respective contributions to their fields of research. more

The image shows a laptop screen in the background with the text “Targeted-Directed MicroRNA Degradation.” Below that, a protein complex is shown in various colors. Beneath it are the words “2-RNA Factor Authentication” and “MicroRNA.” Eight small boxes contain asterisks (*), making it look as though someone has just entered a password. Below the password boxes is a button labeled “Degrade” In the foreground, a hand is shown holding a cell phone. The screen displays: Trigger RNA. Here, too, there is a field with 6 password asterisks, and below it a button labeled “Authenticate”

Study reveals “two-factor authentication” system that controls protein and microRNA destruction

March 19, 2026

Schulman

In a new Nature study, researchers from the MPI of Biochemistry and the Whitehead Institute in the United States have uncovered how cells selectively destroy certain microRNAs through protein degradation. more

Graphic with AI symbol in the centre, surrounded by digital circuits. At the top right, a graduation cap in a circle.

New Max Planck School of Biomedical Artificial Intelligence

March 12, 2026

Borgwardt

The new School will develop advanced AI methods for basic life sciences research. The concept was developed under the coordination of Karsten Borgwardt, Director at the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry. more

The image shows a brain scan of a patient with multiple sclerosis on the left. On the right is an illustration of a hand wearing a red laboratory glove. The hand is holding three test tubes containing blue liquid in a rack.

New diagnostic markers for multiple sclerosis discovered in cerebrospinal fluid

February 26, 2026

Mann

Researchers at the MPI of Biochemistry and TUM have examined the cerebrospinal fluid of 5,000 patients with neurological diseases and discovered new diagnostic and prognostic markers for multiple sclerosis. more

The comic-style illustration schematically shows ribosomes from which a newly produced protein emerges. The end of the protein strand is stuck in a barrel-shaped protein called TRiC. Two light bulbs are located on the ribosome and the TRiC protein, their circles of light overlapping each other. The protein prefoldin is located next to the ribosomes.

Live broadcast from the cell: the dynamic interaction between protein folding helpers and newly produced proteins

February 05, 2026

Hartl

Researchers at the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry have analyzed the dynamics of the protein folding helpers TRiC and prefoldin together with their substrates for the first time using single particle tracking. more