Press Releases

With the support of an ERC Starting Grant, Dr. John J. Molloy will use light to design 3D organoboron molecules with tailored properties. His project, LUMIBOR, exploits the hybridization of boron—an element that can switch between planar and tetrahedral atomic configurations—to fine-tune its reactions via light activation. The envisioned molecules will provide versatile building blocks with enhanced reactivity for both fundamental research and industrial applications. more

The Glyconeer 3.1 represents the latest breakthrough in the automated assembly of complex sugar chains. The improved design and technology patented by Peter Seeberger’s research group make their synthesis fast, energy-efficient, and user-friendly. A better understanding of life’s most common molecules promises important advances in fields ranging from biotechnology to medicine and materials science.  
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Dr. Felix Löffler takes chemical synthesis out of flasks and beakers and replaces liquid solvents with solid polymer inks in a 3D multimaterial nanoprinter . A laser beam precisely transfers nanometric amounts of chemical compounds onto an acceptor surface, where thousands of different reactions can take place in parallel. The invention has applications in chemical engineering, biotechnology, and materials science. more

 Scientists can now predict structural colors in bacteria. By sequencing a wide range of bacterial DNA and developing an accurate predictive model, reseachers uncovered how bacteria organize themselves into specific patterns within colonies to interfere with light and create iridescence.Their findings hold great promise for sustainable, pigment-free color production. more

Silica aerogels are among the lightest solid materials and effective insulators thanks to their unique network of pores. X-ray examinations found that bubbles are critical to maintaining the pores during aerogel formation. The emergence of bubbles prevents the material from collapsing and points to low-cost alternative manufacturing methods with varied applications in the construction industry more

Materials can temporarily change shape when a force is applied (elastic deformation) and scientists analyze a slight color change in the ligh reflected under a laser beam. Dr. Shahrouz Amini can now capture elasticity in real time and in 3D with an inverted nanoindenter – like a tiny diamond pencil tip that applies stress to a sample. The invention enables the design of tailor-made materials for applications ranging from microelectronics to prosthetic implants. more

Fucoidan, a sugar released by algae, can trap carbon dioxide (CO2) for centuries but remains poorly understood due to its complex and diverse molecular structure. Dr. Conor Crawford recreated fucoidan in the lab to study which types are most effective at storing carbon. Better knowledge of its properties could contribute to technologies against climate change.
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Biomolecular condensates may play a crucial but overlooked role in remodeling membrane structures within cells. Rumiana Dimova and her team demonstrated that these droplets can shape parts of the endoplasmic reticulum into nanotubes and double-membrane discs without the need for specific curvature-molding proteins. more

Dr. Oren Moscovitz has been awarded €25,000 by the Max Planck Society for his promising research toward treatments and non-invasive diagnostics for cancers. Moscovitz and his team exploit unique sugar patterns found on cancer cells and develop ultra-small antibodies from alpacas (known as nanobodies) that bind to these sugars. more

Our director, Markus Antonietti, received the prestigious Solvay Chair in Chemistry. The common thread of his lectures was the "black magic" of carbon materials, which can replace transition metals as catalysts for some of the most relevant reactions, thus revolutionizing chemistry and making it greener. more

The innovative combination of complex sugars and fluorine is a promising initial step towards developing more effective vaccines against some bacteria that cause meningitis. The compound designed by Peter Seeberger and Ryan Gilmour (University of Münster) triggered a strong immune response ... more

Mateusz Odziomek’s research group looked to the past to create innovative carbon materials for the future. Inspired by flame-retardant fabrics from the 1950s, the team added a record-high content of phosphorus to carbons. This new material could serve as an efficient catalyst in fields ranging from pharmaceuticals to plastics production.
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Imagine switching on a light and being able to understand and control the inner dynamics of a cell. This is what the Dimova group has achieved: by shining lights of different colors on replicates of cells, they altered the interactions between cellular elements. Controlling these complex interactions enables us to deliver specific drugs directly into the cells. more

Researchers at the MPICI have designed a carbohydrate sequence capable of folding into a stable secondary structure. Until now, such self-folding biopolymers had only been developed for DNA and proteins, and sugars were previously considered too flexible to assume a stable conformation. more

At its annual meeting in Göttingen, the Max Planck Society awarded the Otto Hahn Medal 2022 to the young scientist Dr Susanne Reischauer. The prize is awarded for outstanding scientific achievements during doctoral studies.
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The MPICI celebrated its 30th anniversary. After greetings from politicians and scientists, the guests looked back on the past three decades, during which the MPICI has developed into one of the world's leading basic research institutions with a staff of around 300. more

A method has been developed that could make it harder to counterfeit products in the future. The new and patented process makes it possible to produce unique, non-copiable fluorescent patterns quickly, environmentally friendly and at low cost. more

Little is known yet about the interaction between these biomolecular condensate droplets and the membrane-bound organelles. Researchers at the Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces in Potsdam developed synthetic membraneless organelles and visualized what happens when they meet a membrane. more

Team has investigated how the natural properties of native tree bark can be used to create a standardized product for long-term use without the addition of adhesives. They have created bark panels by peeling and drying via hot pressing, which could be used in interior design or furniture and packaging, e.g., through industrial production. more

The German Research Foundation is supporting the research on novel artificially intelligent emulsion systems in Dr. Lukas Zeininger's Emmy Noether Junior Research Group for another three years with additional funding of about one million euros. more