Home | Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology

Nadya Abbood received the Hendrik Wolff Prize 2023

The MPI Marburg scientist was honored for her work in the field of natural products research

Bats Welcome

During the renovation work the MPI-TM has installed roosting boxes for bats. For this measure, the institute was awarded the title "Bat-friendly building" by NABU Hessen.

Katharina Höfer receives ERC Starting Grant

The Max Planck research group leader aims to develop new biomolecules based on the "RNAylation" of proteins, which could serve as the basis for future therapeutics.

ATP via Electricity

Shanshan Luo and a team led by Tobias Erb have developed an artificial metabolic pathway that generates the biochemical energy carrier ATP from electricity. The AAA pathway is a completely new approach on the way to a sustainable, climate-neutral bio-economy.

Phage research reveals “Molecular Glue”

Our Max Planck Research group led by Katharina Höfer discovered a previously unknown way to tightly bind RNA to proteins by studying bacterial viruses.`RNAylation` could open up new avenues for phage therapy or drug development.

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 of the over 80 Max Planck Institutes, we conduct basic research, true to Max Planck`s saying: "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.