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Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology

@mpi-ce.bsky.social
446 followers 151 following 72 posts

We investigate the chemical communication between different organisms - plants, insects and microbes - in Jena, Germany.

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Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology @mpi-ce.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
New study by Markus Knaden and his team published in @jexpbiol.bsky.social shows Tunisian desert ants link aggressive encounters to specific spots—turning fights into mental GPS markers. Social memory, not just sight or smell, helps them correct navigation. journals.biologists.com/jeb/article/...
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Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology @mpi-ce.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
We are delighted to announce that Ahmed R. Ismaieel successfully defended his PhD thesis on the olfactory role of mouthparts, legs and genitalia in the hawkmoth Manduca sexta. Congratulations to Ahmed and his supervisors, Sonja Bisch-Knaden, @nmvandam.bsky.social, and Bill Hansson. Well done!
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Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology @mpi-ce.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
We are thrilled that Matilde Florean, a former PhD in the @oconnorlab.bsky.social, received the Otto Hahn Medal by @maxplanck.de for groundbreaking research on the convergent evolution of the biosynthesis of specialized metabolites in plants. Congratulations, Matilde! www.ice.mpg.de/558167/otto-...
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Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology @mpi-ce.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
Our international team of 24 ran strong for "Max Planck!" at the Jenaer Firmenlauf. On #DiversityDay2026, we also ran for #WeltoffenesThüringen because Thuringia should be a place where everyone feels welcome, valued, and safe. Thumbs up to our team for spreading the word! #JenasFirmenLaufen
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Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology @mpi-ce.bsky.social · 10/04/2026
Happy to announce that Anh Hai Vu from the @oconnorlab.bsky.social has successfully defended her PhD thesis on "Understanding plant natural product biosynthesis using single-cell mass spectrometry"! Congratulations to her and her supervisors Sarah O'Connor and Lorenzo Caputi!
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Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology @mpi-ce.bsky.social · 27/03/2026
We are very proud: Julio Antonio Otárola Jiménez successfully defended his PhD thesis today! His research topic was "From Courtship to Egg-Laying: How Chemical Cues and Experience Shape Reproductive Strategies in Drosophila melanogaster". Congratulations, Julio!
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Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology @mpi-ce.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
On the International Day of Women and Girls in Science we feature 6 amazing women — @mariferrarini.bsky.social, Shristee Panthee, Sonja Bisch-Knaden, @yukoulrich.bsky.social, Xinyi Cheng and @shabmohammadi.bsky.social. Their statements inspire a more inclusive future for women in science.
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Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology @mpi-ce.bsky.social · 07/11/2025
Huge congratulations to Pamela Medina van Berkum on successfully defending her PhD! Supervised by @sunsicker.bsky.social and Jonathan Gershenzon, her work on how plant biodiversity shapes chemical defenses bridges ecology, chemistry, and evolution. Pam is now part of Sybille’s group at @uni-kiel.de.
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Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology @mpi-ce.bsky.social · 28/10/2025
We are very proud - yesterday, Somasundar Arumugam successfully defended his PhD thesis on "Exploring innate and learned sensory behaviors in Drosophila under natural and perturbed context". He was supervised by Prof. Silke Sachse. Congratulations!!!!
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Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology @mpi-ce.bsky.social · 22/10/2025
Doctoral researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, the Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry, and the Max Planck Institute for Geoanthropology came together for the first Max Planck PhD Day in Jena which included speed dating and skills-sharing sessions and networking.
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Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology @mpi-ce.bsky.social · 23/09/2025
A recipe from two eras for protection against bark beetles: Andrew O’Donnell et al. show in PNAS that some resin diterpenes are older than conifers themselves, while others developed independently—presumably to protect against bark beetles. www.ice.mpg.de/510162/PR_OD...
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Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology @mpi-ce.bsky.social · 22/09/2025
HUGE congratulations also to Jessil Pajar on successfully defending her PhD thesis! 🎓 Her research, supervised by @nmvandam.bsky.social, explores novel strategies to strengthen plant resistance against a major pest, drawing innovative insights from interactions with microscopic nematodes.
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Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology @mpi-ce.bsky.social · 22/09/2025
We are proud to announce that Sol Yepes has successfully defended her PhD thesis on intraspecific chemodiversity in Black Poplar supervised by @sunsicker.bsky.social. Her work advances our understanding of plant diversity as a foundation for ecosystem resilience. Congratulations!
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Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology @mpi-ce.bsky.social · 01/08/2025
Meet our director Sarah O'Connor, @oconnorlab.bsky.social, a presence to be reckoned with in the plant science community! Read the latest interview with @newphyt.bsky.social ‬to learn about her passion for plant science and the scientists who inspired her: nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
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Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology @mpi-ce.bsky.social · 24/07/2025
This is Ahmed Ismaieel, a PhD candidate in our IMPRS who studies moths in the windtunnel. His research into the ability of moths to 'smell' is providing new insights into the intricate relationships between insects and their environments. Read about his journey & more: www.ice.mpg.de/257126/newsl...
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Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology @mpi-ce.bsky.social · 23/07/2025
Hala Sardouk, a PhD candidate in @shabmohammadi.bsky.social's group, is exploring how organisms adapt to environmental toxins at the molecular level, shedding light on the complex interactions between organisms & their environments. More about her journey & our IMPRS: www.ice.mpg.de/257126/newsl...
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Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology @mpi-ce.bsky.social · 22/07/2025
Discovering the perfect PhD fit! Iulia Barutia shares her journey to finding our IMPRS program, where she's thriving with a supportive community & access to top resources. Don't give up on your academic dreams! Read about her journey & more: www.ice.mpg.de/257126/newsl...
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Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology @mpi-ce.bsky.social · 21/07/2025
Meet Johann de Beer, a doctoral researcher studying the symbiotic relationship between Lagria beetles & bacteria in the @kaltenpoth-lab.bsky.social‬. His research explores how beneficial bacteria colonize & defend their hosts. Read more about his journey & more: www.ice.mpg.de/257126/newsl...
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Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology @mpi-ce.bsky.social · 04/07/2025
Today is last day of the ICE-2025 International Chemical Ecology PhD course at our institute. For 2 weeks, 28 doctoral researchers from all over Europe, the US, and Canada studied plant-insect-microbe interactions, evolutionary processes, advanced methods, and even chemical communication in humans.
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Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology @mpi-ce.bsky.social · 26/06/2025
Lead author @matildeflorean.bsky.social‬ et al. from the @oconnorlab.bsky.social discover a "fake" enzyme in plants that enables the formation of free indole, a key molecule for defense & attracting pollinators. www.ice.mpg.de/496511/PR_Fl...
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Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology @mpi-ce.bsky.social · 26/05/2025
Congratulations to Matilde Florean from the Department of Natural Product Biosynthesis on successfully defending her PhD thesis on the "Mechanisms Underlying the Repeated Evolution of Metabolic Pathways in Plants!" So proud of her achievements! We look forward to her future contributions to science!
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Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology @mpi-ce.bsky.social · 22/05/2025
The MPI-CE team had an incredible time participating in this year's Firmenlauf charity run! The event was not just about running 5 km, but also about the spirit of collaboration and giving back to the community. Thank you to everyone who joined us and to those who supported us along the way!
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Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology @mpi-ce.bsky.social · 13/05/2025
Big congrats to Rolando Moreira Soto from the Department of Evolutionary Neuroethology on defending his PhD! His research on Drosophila oviposition shows females often lay eggs together, benefiting from social feeding despite risks like competition. A fascinating insight into insect decision-making!
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Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology @mpi-ce.bsky.social · 08/05/2025
Congratulations to Melissa Diaz Morales for successfully defending her PhD thesis on the "Evolution of sex-pheromone receptors in Drosophila" supervised by Nicole van Dam, Markus Knaden and Bill Hansson! 👏 🎓 💐
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Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology @mpi-ce.bsky.social · 17/04/2025
PhD project offer: Molecular mechanisms of adaptation and counter-adaptation between Brassica and beetles Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Nicole van Dam, Dr. Franziska Beran, IGZ Großbeeren More information: www.ice.mpg.de/402520/Proje... Apply now: jobs.ice.mpg.de/en/jobpostin... (c) Anna Schroll
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Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology @mpi-ce.bsky.social · 17/04/2025
PhD project offer: A miRNA taming floral homeotic genes Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Günther Theissen, FSU; Dr. Roy Kirsch, MPI for Chemical Ecology More information: www.ice.mpg.de/490820/Proje... Apply now: jobs.ice.mpg.de/en/jobpostin...
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Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology @mpi-ce.bsky.social · 17/04/2025
PhD project offer: Metabolic exchanges, regulation and equilibrium of an ancient insect symbiosis Supervisor: Dr. Mariana Galvao Ferrarini, Prof. Martin Kaltenpoth, Dr. Tobias Engl, MPI-CE More information: www.ice.mpg.de/319554/Proje... Apply now: jobs.ice.mpg.de/en/jobpostin... (c) Julian Kiefer
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Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology @mpi-ce.bsky.social · 17/04/2025
PhD project offer: Sensing the unseen: How diatoms detect and respond to highly dilute sex-inducing pheromones Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Georg Pohnert, FSU Jena; Dr. Markus Knaden MPI for Chemical Ecology More information: www.ice.mpg.de/319540/Proje... Apply now: jobs.ice.mpg.de/en/jobpostin...
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Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology @mpi-ce.bsky.social · 17/04/2025
Structural basis of two-component system signaling - Exciting PhD project offer in Ute Hellmich's group, FSU in collaboration with Sarah O'Connor More information: www.ice.mpg.de/319526/Proje... Apply now: jobs.ice.mpg.de/.../cb945467...
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Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology @mpi-ce.bsky.social · 17/04/2025
PhD project offer: Molecular mechanisms of membrane proteins underlying social insect behavior Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Ute Hellmich, FSU; Dr. Yuko Ulrich, MPI for Chemical Ecology More information: www.ice.mpg.de/319512/Proje... Apply now: jobs.ice.mpg.de/.../cb945467...
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Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology @mpi-ce.bsky.social · 17/04/2025
PhD project offer: With six feet on the ground – How insects sense vibrations Supervisors by Prof. Manuela Nowotny, FSU and Dr. Yuko Ulrich, MP for Chemical Ecology. More information: www.ice.mpg.de/319498/Proje... Apply now: www.ice.mpg.de/296534/how-t... (c) Jan Scherberich
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Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology @mpi-ce.bsky.social · 16/04/2025
Deadline approaching! If you are interested in doing a PhD in chemical ecology check out the projects and apply here: www.ice.mpg.de/296548/curre... jobs.ice.mpg.de/en/jobpostin...
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Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology @mpi-ce.bsky.social · 14/03/2025
We are excited about our new call for applications - we offer 8 cool projects and 5 doctoral positions in Chemical Ecology! Have a look at the projects and apply! www.ice.mpg.de/296576/adver... jobs.ice.mpg.de/en/jobpostin...
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Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology @mpi-ce.bsky.social · 07/03/2025
We are very proud - today, Francesca Protti Sánchez very successfully defended her PhD thesis on "Predator psychology and signal conspicuousness in the evolution of aposematism". Francesca was supervised by Hannah Rowland. Congratulations!
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Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology @mpi-ce.bsky.social · 11/02/2025
Today, we honor the incredible achievements of women in science. Meet female researchers from our institute: @silkesachse.bsky.social, Sonja Bisch-Knaden, Priya Reddy, Karin Groten, and @shabmohammadi.bsky.social. Let’s continue championing diversity & equality in research! #WomenInScience
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