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.
Like Pearls on a Chain
When cells divide, reliable inheritance of genetic information is crucial. Our research team led by Seán Murray performs mathematical modeling to unravel the mechanisms of DNA segregation. Doctoral student Lara Connolley developed a computer simulation that explains the key mechanism of this process.
Methane formation before the emergence of life
Until now, a specific geological process was thought to be responsible for the early formation of methane. A team led by Johannes Rebelein has now shown that methane can be formed in any aqueous environment by the so-called Fenton reaction. This process may still be contributing to global methane emissions today.
