Press Releases

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

In accordance with the rotation principle, chemist Professor Markus Antonietti will hold the position as Managing Director at the Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces (MPICI) for two years, starting on January 1, 2023. He replaces the physicist Professor Peter Fratzl. more

Prof Silvia Vignolini, Ph.D. is establishing the new Department "Sustainable and Bio-inspired Materials". She is working at the interface of physics, chemistry, biology and materials science and perfectly complements the institute's profile of research on chemistry, materials and sustainability. more

Dr. Martina Delbianco was selected to receive a grant of 1.5 million euros from the European Research Council (ERC). Over a period of five years, the EU will fund the development of programmable carbohydrate architectures, which in the long term may result in the creation of new materials from sugar. more

Prof. Dr. Peter Fratzl has been appointed honorary life member by the Chinese Chemical Society (CCS). The CCS describes this nomination as "the highest honor bestowed on the world's most distinguished chemists and materials scientists". more

Aleksandr Savateev has developed a unique online database. To do so, he has analyzed and standardized research data from 300 papers published over the past forty years in the field of photocharged semiconductors. more

Concept initiated by Potsdam's Max Planck Institute wins federal and state competition for 1.25 billion euros in funding more

Peter H. Seeberger received an honorary doctorate from the UCTechnology in Prague on September 23. The ceremony took place during the University’s 70th anniversary at the Strahov Monastery. more

The ceremonial farewell of Reinhard Lipowsky as director of the Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces (MPICI) has taken place today during the "Biomembrane Days" conference. more

Within the next six months, the chemists Professor Peter H. Seeberger and Professor Andrei K. Yudin will conduct joint research on the automated synthesis of highly active substances. more

Researchers discovered strong adhesive properties of white-berry mistletoe. Its flexible fibers adhere to both skin and cartilage as well as to various synthetic materials and could find application in many fields, such as wound sealant in biomedicine. more

Group Leader Dr. Bartholomäus Pieber is receiving a grant from the Boehringer Ingelheim Foundation for research into novel ways of using light to synthesize important chemicals. more

Incorporating various minerals in collagen puts these composite materials under stress and makes them particularly hard and strong more

Researchers have discovered new properties of collagen: During the intercalation of minerals in collagen fibers, a contraction tension is generated that is hundreds of times stronger than muscle strength. more