Research overview
The mission of the MPI is to understand how microorganisms function at the molecular, cellular, and community levels. In particular, we aim to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the metabolic diversity of microorganisms, their ability to adapt and differentiate in response to changes in the environment, the mechanisms involved in cell cycle regulation and cell polarity as well as the biogeochemical processes involved in the exchange of climatically relevant trace gases. These analyses include all levels of microbial functions from the atomic/structural level, the molecular and cellular levels, and biochemistry/physiology to the microbial community level and plant–microbe interactions.
Research at the institute is carried out in three departments. In addition the institute hosts three Max Planck Research Groups, one Emeritus Group and two Max Planck Fellows.
| Departments | ||
|---|---|---|
| Department of Biogeochemistry | Department of Ecophysiology | Department of Organismic Interactions |
| Prof. Dr. R. Conrad (Head) Methanogenic degradation and microbial metabolism of trace gases |
Prof. L. Søgaard-Andersen (Head) Bacterial development and differentiation |
Prof. Dr. R. Kahmann (Head) Molecular phytopathology |
| Prof. Dr. A. Brune (Research Group Leader) Insect gut microbiology and symbiosis |
Dr. P. Higgs (Group Leader) Signal transduction in Myxococcus xanthus |
Dr. G. Döhlemann (Research Group Leader) Establishment of compatibility in biotrophic interactions |
| Dr. G. Braker (Group Leader) Ecology of denitrifying microorganisms |
Dr. K. Thormann (Group Leader) Biofilms and motility of Shewanella |
Dr. E. Stukenbrock (Group Leader) Genomics of plant pathogenic fungi |
| Prof. Dr. P. Frenzel (Group Leader) Biogeochemistry and microbiology of wetlands |
Dr. C. van der Does (Group Leader) Type IV secretion in Neisseria gonorrhoeae |
Dr. A. Zuccaro (Group Leader) Functional genomics and molecular biology of symbiotic fungi |
| PD Dr. W. Liesack (Group Leader) Methanotrophic bacteria Eco-genomics/transcriptomics |
||
| Department-independent groups | ||
|---|---|---|
| Max Planck Research Groups | Emeritus Group | Max Planck Fellows |
| Dr. S. Albers (Head) Molecular Biology of Archaea |
Prof. Dr. R.K. Thauer (Head) Biochemistry of methanogens |
Prof. Dr. W. Buckel (Head) Mechanism of enzymes from anaerobic bacteria |
| Dr. L. Randau (Head) Prokaryotic Small RNA Biology |
S. Shima, Ph.D. (Research Group Leader) Microbial protein structure |
Prof. Dr. R. Lill (Head) Biosynthesis of cellular Fe/S proteins |
| Dr. M. Thanbichler (Head) Prokaryotic Cell Biology |
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