Divisions and research groups

Why can some animals simply regenerate injured tissue, while humans instead develop scars? The Animal Physiology division investigates this question – using modern 3D in vitro models and regenerating animals to unravel the secrets of regeneration and inspire new therapeutic approaches.

The Behavioural Biology division researches molecular mechanisms of stress susceptibility, resilience and animal welfare. A wide range of animal species are investigated, from laboratory mice to farm animals to zoo and wild animals.

The Bioanalytical Chemistry division investigates how cells regulate fat metabolism. Using baker's yeast as a model organism, the aim is to establish the molecular basis for understanding how disturbances in fat metabolism can cause disease.

The Biochemistry division investigates cellular transport processes in the model organism Saccharomyces cerevisiae (baker’s and brewer’s yeast). The research focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying the transport of proteins and organelles to the cell’s digestive compartment — the lysosome.

The Biodiversity and Landscape Ecology division investigates the effects of land use/climate change and disturbances on biodiversity. Forthermore, it focuses on monitoring species diversity and restoring habitats.

The Biophysics division studies structure, dynamics, and signaling of cytokine receptors in plasma membranes. Advanced fluorescence and single-molecule approaches are used to quantitatively analyze molecular mechanisms of cellular communication.

The Botany division investigates the developmental processes and innovations of plants that have resulted in the enormous diversity of land plants and adaptations to variable living conditions.

The Chemical Biology of Membranes research group investigates cellular lipid transport. Using synthetic lipid-like molecules, we study how lysosomes, cellular recycling organelles, distribute various lipids such as sterols and sphingolipids throughout membranes.

The Genetics division conducts basic research into stress response mechanisms and the associated signal transduction pathways in various yeasts and fungi as eukaryotic model organisms.

The Microbiology division investigates molecular mechanisms of bacterial pathogenesis. Using the model organism Salmonella enterica, we unravel the pathogenic lifestyle in the host, host adaptation, and function of virulence factors.

The Molecular Cell Biology division investigates how cells assemble membranes from a structurally diverse repertoire of lipids, thereby creating the most advanced biomolecular systems in nature.

The Multicellular Signaling Dynamics research group investigates the dynamic properties of cell signaling pathways and how they control various cell fate decisions during the development and maintenance of multicellular organisms.

The Neurobiology division investigates the development and degeneration of nerve cells at the molecular, cellular and systemic levels. A significant part of the work focuses on Alzheimer's disease, with the aim of developing the basis for new therapeutic approaches.

The Plant Physiology division investigates why some proteins remain in cells for a long time and can perform their functions, whereas other proteins can be very short-lived – and therefore only have a limited duration of action.

The Structural Biology division uses cryo-electron microscopy to determine the atomic structure of proteins and their molecular dynamics. It is particularly interested in transmembrane transporters, which are of great importance for the development of broad-spectrum resistance.

The Structural Biology of Photosynthetic Microorganisms research group investigates the molecular mechanisms of metabolism in phototrophic organisms – i.e. organisms that use light as a source of energy. Using cyanobacteria as a model and cryo-EM as the main method, the group researches chlorophyll biosynthesis, glucan degradation and transport processes.

The Zoology division researches the genetic and molecular causes of congenital organ defects. The team is particularly interested in genes that ensure cell function. One area of research focuses on intracellular membrane systems and human heart disease, which are ‘recreated’ and analysed in fruit flies.