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Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology

Metabolic networks are complex and their regulation is daunting. A team of researchers at the MPI led by Dr. Hannes Link showed that massively parallel CRISPRi screens can conquer this complexity.

Tackling Metabolic Complexity

Metabolic networks are complex and their regulation is daunting. A team of researchers at the MPI led by Dr. Hannes Link showed that massively parallel CRISPRi screens can conquer this complexity.

Success in Life is determined by the right strategy. This also applies to sporulating bacteria, as studies by our research group "Complex Adaptive Traits" headed by Ilka Bischofs revealed.

Spore Formation in
Fast Motion

Success in Life is determined by the right strategy. This also applies to sporulating bacteria, as studies by our research group "Complex Adaptive Traits" headed by Ilka Bischofs revealed.

We humans need oxygen to breathe - but for many microbes it is a deadly poison. An international team, including the "Microbial Protein Structure" group headed by Dr. Seigo Shima, has now discovered how methane bacteria transform oxygen, which is so dangerous for them, into harmless water.

Water at the End of the Tunnel

We humans need oxygen to breathe - but for many microbes it is a deadly poison. An international team, including the "Microbial Protein Structure" group headed by Dr. Seigo Shima, has now discovered how methane bacteria transform oxygen, which is so dangerous for them, into harmless water.

Using super resolution microscopy, researchers in our Department of Systems and Synthetic Microbiology, in cooperation with the University of Freiburg, were able to show how cell nuclei enlarge after division.

Divide and Enlarge

Using super resolution microscopy, researchers in our Department of Systems and Synthetic Microbiology, in cooperation with the University of Freiburg, were able to show how cell nuclei enlarge after division.

Making vesicles for the cellular uptake of nutrients and signals is delicate artwork and hard work at the same time. A team of researchers led by Michal Skruzny analyzed the immediate proximity of the proteins involved. Their results provide surprising insights into this fundamental, yet highly complex, modular and transient transport machinery.

Social Networking at the Cellular Gateway

Making vesicles for the cellular uptake of nutrients and signals is delicate artwork and hard work at the same time. A team of researchers led by Michal Skruzny analyzed the immediate proximity of the proteins involved. Their results provide surprising insights into this fundamental, yet highly complex, modular and transient transport machinery.

The aim of our research is to understand the diversity and function of microorganisms. They are more numerous and diverse than all other living organisms – there is no place on earth they do not colonize. There are mainly three main reasons for their success: their immense metabolic capacities, a great ability to adapt to environmental changes, and a wide range of interactions with other organisms. Whether by their indispensable role in the global cycles of matter, the conversion of atmospheric greenhouse gases or their numerous interactions with humans, animals and plants - microorganisms decisively shape life on earth.
Like all the other over 80 Max Planck Institutes, we conduct basic research, because, as Max Planck said: "Insight must precede application." A fundamental understanding of processes and interrelationships is prerequisite for any medical or technological innovation. We use state-of-the-art technologies in combination with computer modeling and analysis as well as synthetic biology methods.

Welcome to the
Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology

The aim of our research is to understand the diversity and function of microorganisms. They are more numerous and diverse than all other living organisms – there is no place on earth they do not colonize. There are mainly three main reasons for their success: their immense metabolic capacities, a great ability to adapt to environmental changes, and a wide range of interactions with other organisms. Whether by their indispensable role in the global cycles of matter, the conversion of atmospheric greenhouse gases or their numerous interactions with humans, animals and plants - microorganisms decisively shape life on earth.

Like all the other over 80 Max Planck Institutes, we conduct basic research, because, as Max Planck said: "Insight must precede application." A fundamental understanding of processes and interrelationships is prerequisite for any medical or technological innovation. We use state-of-the-art technologies in combination with computer modeling and analysis as well as synthetic biology methods.

Tobias J. Erb

Lotte Søgaard-Andersen

Lotte Søgaard-Andersen

Helge B. Bode

Victor Sourjik

Come and join us!

Come and join us!

Knut Drescher

Henrike Niederholtmeyer

Henrike Niederholtmeyer

Georg Hochberg

Katharina Höfer

Katharina Höfer

Emeriti

Ilka Bischofs-Pfeifer

Ilka Bischofs-Pfeifer

Werner Liesack

Andreas Brune

Seigo Shima

Martin Thanbichler

Martin Thanbichler

Seán Murray

Former Group Leaders

Former Group Leaders

Johannes Rebelein

Johannes Rebelein

Core Facilities

Core Facilities

Andreas Diepold

Andreas Diepold

November 2020

Graduate Students Mini Symposium VII 2020

at 15:00

Nadja Sachs

at 12:00

Effects of membrane lipid composition on the organization and signaling properties of bacterial chemoreceptors

Dr. Sven van Teeffelen

at 16:00

Determinants of bacterial cell shape and size

Tarryn Miller

at 16:00

Building a light driven synthetic carbon dioxide fixation cycle within microdroplets

Prof. Dr. Bärbel Stecher

at 16:00

Synthetic bacterial communities to probe microbial community functions

upcoming Seminars & Events

Tarryn Miller

Building a light driven synthetic carbon dioxide fixation cycle within microdroplets

Nov 25, 2020 16:00

Online

Prof. Dr. Bärbel Stecher

Synthetic bacterial communities to probe microbial community functions

Nov 30, 2020 16:00

Zoom, Webinar

Simon Burgener

Expanding the repertoire of enzymatic C‑C bond formation with one-carbon units

Dec 4, 2020 10:30

Online

Graduate Students Mini Symposium VIII 2020

Dec 7, 2020 16:00

Online, Room: -

Marc Abella Guerra

Force required for endocytic vesicle formation analyzed by FRET-based force sensors

Dec 11, 2020 14:00

Online

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