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Max Planck Institute of Biophysics

@mpibp.bsky.social
1.2K followers 91 following 128 posts

Our research concerns biological membranes with particular emphasis on the structure and function of membrane proteins. #Biophysics #cryoEM #structuralbiology

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Max Planck Institute of Biophysics @mpibp.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
3/3: Since methanogens play an important role in carbon cycling, understanding this molecular diversity could help researchers take advantage of these processes for sustainable energy ☀️
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Max Planck Institute of Biophysics @mpibp.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
2/3: 🦠 By comparing two different methanogens, the research groups at @mpibp.bsky.social and @mpimicrobiomarburg.bsky.social found an electron bifurcation path dependent on a newly identified protein, MvhB. 📄 Read the full study in Science Advances: www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.aed3711
science.org
Diversity of electron-bifurcating CO2-fixing supercomplexes in methanogens
In the hydrogenotrophic methanogenic pathway, formylmethanofuran dehydrogenase (Fmd) reduces and fixes CO2, driven by low-potential electrons provided by electron-bifurcating heterodisulfide reductase...
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Max Planck Institute of Biophysics @mpibp.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
1/3: How do microbes power carbon capture? ⚡️ In our new study, Bonnie Murphy @bjmurphylab.bsky.social and Seigo Shima @mpimicrobiomarburg.bsky.social explored the different molecular solutions to capturing carbon dioxide using electron bifurcation. 📓 Read more about our work here: s.gwdg.de/9e3Blu
3D representation of a complex molecular structure with distinct colored segments and blue arrows indicating electron-transfer pathways
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Max Planck Institute of Biophysics @mpibp.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
2/3: 2) 🦠 By comparing two different methanogens, the research groups at @(MPI Biophys) and @(MPI Micro) found an electron bifurcation path dependent on a newly identified protein, MvhB. 📄 Read the full study in Science Advances: www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.aed3711
science.org
Diversity of electron-bifurcating CO2-fixing supercomplexes in methanogens
In the hydrogenotrophic methanogenic pathway, formylmethanofuran dehydrogenase (Fmd) reduces and fixes CO2, driven by low-potential electrons provided by electron-bifurcating heterodisulfide reductase...
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Reposted by Max Planck Institute of Biophysics
Goethe-Universität Frankfurt @goetheuni.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Weil’s so schön war: Noch ein kleiner Videorückblick aufs #ScienceFestival! 🎬 Vor knapp einer Woche gab’s auf dem Roßmarkt Wissenschaft zum Anfassen und Entdecken. Danke an alle, die mitgemacht, gefragt, gestaunt und erklärt haben! 🔬 #Frankfurt #FrankfurtAlliance
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Reposted by Max Planck Institute of Biophysics
IMPRS on Cellular Biophysics @imprs-cbp.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Day 1 of the Symposium on Cellular Biophysics 2026 is a wrap! 🥳🔬 Huge thanks to faculty members @idikic.bsky.social and @heilemannlab.bsky.social for two fantastic opening talks on cellular homeostasis and super-resolution microscopy. Photos by Louise Duever. #IMPRS_CBP #phdlife
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Reposted by Max Planck Institute of Biophysics
Evgenii Protasov @evgenii-protasov.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Great collaboration between @mpimicrobiomarburg.bsky.social and @mpibp.bsky.social solving the structures of CO₂-fixing supercomplexes in methanogens and shedding light on their evolution🧫🔬 #methanogens #methane #StructuralBiology #CryoEM @science.org @maxplanck.de www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
science.org
Diversity of electron-bifurcating CO2-fixing supercomplexes in methanogens
In the hydrogenotrophic methanogenic pathway, formylmethanofuran dehydrogenase (Fmd) reduces and fixes CO2, driven by low-potential electrons provided by electron-bifurcating heterodisulfide reductase...
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Reposted by Max Planck Institute of Biophysics
SBGrid Consortium @sbgrid.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Our software webinar series will resume in October with Beata Turoňová, Group Leader at the @mpibp.bsky.social, introducing cryoCAT. Until then, you can catch up on webinars you missed from our last series on the SBGrid YouTube channel. More here: buff.ly/p1w3J7S #SBGrid #Webinars
youtube.com
SBGrid Consortium
For structural biologists, by structural biologists! The SBGrid TV channel was developed with participation from many members of the structural biology community. We welcome suggestions for topics to…
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Reposted by Max Planck Institute of Biophysics
IMPRS on Cellular Biophysics @imprs-cbp.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Join us at the annual IMPRS-CBP Symposium (Sep 21–25 at @mpibp.bsky.social )! 🧬 A week of faculty talk series + featured lectures in welcoming of new PhD cohort. For registration and program details here: imprs-cbp.mpg.de/symposium-on...
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Max Planck Institute of Biophysics @mpibp.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Researchers from the MPI of Biophysics & KU Leuven (@office-garcia.bsky.social & @lmcsleuven.bsky.social) analyzed leukemia-linked BCL-2 mutations that disrupt venetoclax binding, letting cancer cells dodge treatment 🧬 📝 Full study: advanced.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10....
advanced.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
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Max Planck Institute of Biophysics @mpibp.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Why do leukemia patients stop responding to venetoclax, a precision drug that blocks cancer cells' ability to escape cell death? 🩸 Our new study in Advanced Science reveals resistance isn't one-size-fits-all 🧵 📝 Learn more: www.biophys.mpg.de/2925331/rese...
Microscopic illustration of a cell with numerous surface extensions floating in a fluid environment. Image generated using AI.
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Max Planck Institute of Biophysics @mpibp.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
Our work by @becklab.bsky.social, @hummerlab.bsky.social, and @marinalusic.bsky.social is now available in @natcomms.nature.com 📄 Read the full study: www.nature.com/articles/s41...
nature.com
Molecular architecture of heterochromatin at the nuclear periphery of primary human cells - Nature Communications
The 3D organisation of chromatin inside a human cell is still not fully resolved. Here the authors reveal that in situ cryo-ET resolves individual nucleosomes and predicts DNA linkers, thus showing th...
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Max Planck Institute of Biophysics @mpibp.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
Turns out DNA packing is messier than early models suggest! Check our work in our website: www.biophys.mpg.de/2922264/mole... 📝
biophys.mpg.de
A Molecular View of Genome Packaging in Human Cells
Individual nucleosomes were detected directly inside human T cells using cryo-electron tomography.
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Max Planck Institute of Biophysics @mpibp.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
How do 2 meters of DNA fit inside a nucleus you can barely see? 🧬 Our new study mapped individual nucleosomes inside human cells.
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Reposted by Max Planck Institute of Biophysics
SCALE - SubCellular Architecture of LifE @scale-cluster-ffm.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
🚀 We're hiring! Join the founding Digital Twin Team at the SCALE Cluster of Excellence @goetheuni.bsky.social Apply by: 31 August 2026 For more information: scale-frankfurt.org/wp-content/u... Full position description: scale-frankfurt.org/wp-content/u... Descriptions below 🧵:
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Max Planck Institute of Biophysics @mpibp.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
🌈 What does it mean to be queer in science today? Join our panel with four LGBTQIA+ scientists sharing their journeys, insights, and truths in academia! 📅 July 15, 2026 | 1:00–5:30 PM | MPI Biophysics, Lecture Hall 🍕+Beer & Pizza after by PhD Reps! #LGBTQIAinScience #QueerInSTEM #ScienceForAll
Flyer for Max Planck Diversity Career Talk “Pride in Research” on July 15, 2026, featuring LGBTQIA+ scientists and a pizza & beer hour event.
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Max Planck Institute of Biophysics @mpibp.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
Scorching heat, eager minds: Postdoc @emmabelcher96.bsky.social shared her scientific journey with students from Friedrich-Dessauer High School—lab life, salaries, pros & cons, all while keeping them hooked, despite the sweltering weather. Inspiring the next generation, one talk at a time.💡🔬
Emma Belcher presents a slide titled “Day in the Life: What Does a Scientist Do?” The slide outlines the following steps: read papers, plan experiments, do experiments, analyze data, present results, publish papers, and apply for funding.High school students sit at desks facing Emma Belcher, who is presenting a slideshow in a classroom with large windows, lowered blinds, and wooden chairs.
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Max Planck Institute of Biophysics @mpibp.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
3/3: Across reconstruction, template matching, and subtomogram averaging, datasets acquired with 1°, 2°, and 3° all performed robustly—with 3° tilt steps showing the best performance in final refinement. @elife.bsky.social 📄 Read the full study: 👉 elifesciences.org/reviewed-pre...
elifesciences.org
Optimising the tilt-increment for in situ cryo-electron tomography
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Max Planck Institute of Biophysics @mpibp.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
2/3: By systematically testing different tilt increments 📐, the study shows that finer angular sampling can improve alignment quality despite lower signal per image. 📸
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Max Planck Institute of Biophysics @mpibp.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
1/3: We are excited to share a new study by Maarten Tuijtel from @becklab.bsky.social, published in eLife. 🔬 🎉 The work addresses a key question in cryo-electron tomography: how to best distribute the limited electron dose across a tilt series while balancing angular sampling and image quality. 💥
Cryo-EM images showing sample structures at tilt increments from 1 to 10 degrees, with resolution patterns and measured values in nanometers.
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Max Planck Institute of Biophysics @mpibp.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
3/3: This revealed the structural mechanisms behind its characteristic “breathing” motions. Simulation-guided mutagenesis reveled key contacts for the the particle's stability, opening new doors for the rational engineering of vaults as nanoscale delivery systems. 👉 www.nature.com/articles/s41...
nature.com
Structural flexibility of the human vault particle revealed by high-resolution cryo-EM and molecular dynamics simulations - Nature Communications
Vaults are widespread, large cellular particles with unknown function. Here, the authors reveal how vaults flex and change shape using imaging and simulations, identifying key interactions that contro...
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Max Planck Institute of Biophysics @mpibp.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
2/3: Using high-resolution cryo-EM 🔬 (in collab with Fabio Lapenta) combined with multi-scale molecular dynamics simulations 🧬, the team resolved two distinct conformational states of the human vault particle.
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Max Planck Institute of Biophysics @mpibp.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
1/3: We are proud to share that the recent work by postdocs Karen Palacio-Rodriguez and Sergio Cruz-León, from Gerhard Hummer’s department, was selected as one of the Editors’ Highlights in Nature Communications! 🎉 👏 Open-access paper: 👉 www.nature.com/articles/s41...
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Max Planck Institute of Biophysics @mpibp.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
The results, published in @natcellbio.nature.com, show how the protein DRP1 scans the surface of mitochondria to finds the right place to cut 🔬 💻 #Microscopy #NatureCellBiology 📄 Read the full study: www.nature.com/articles/s41...
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Max Planck Institute of Biophysics @mpibp.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
We present MitoScanner: a newly discovered step in mitochondrial division! 🔍✂️ Explore here the work by @office-garcia.bsky.social 📝 www.biophys.mpg.de/2921124/sear... #Mitochondria #CellBiology
biophys.mpg.de
MitoScanner: Searching for the Right Place to Divide Mitochondria
Proteins DRP1 and MID49 scan the mitochondrial outer membrane before division, revealing a previously unrecognized step in mitochondrial fission.
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Reposted by Max Planck Institute of Biophysics
IMPRS on Cellular Biophysics @imprs-cbp.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
Now it's @jpkreysing.bsky.social 's turn! 🎓🎉 Congratulations Jan Philipp on defending your PhD thesis, "Capturing Functional States in Situ with Cryo-Electron Tomography" in the @becklab.bsky.social lab! We're very excited to see more IMPRS-CBP #PhDs graduate🎓✨ #imprs_cbp #PhDlife #CryoET
Four men standing indoors; one is wearing a decorated graduation cap held by a man beside him, celebrating a succesful thesis defence.
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Max Planck Institute of Biophysics @mpibp.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
How do you do quantum physics ⚛ when sign language ☝️ lacks the words? Kudos to Ingo Barth, the first deaf German to earn a chemistry PhD, broke barriers as a physics student and research leader—then created Sign2MINT, a STEM sign language lexicon with 5,000+ signs, empowering Deaf scientists. 💪💪💪
Ingo Barth giving a presentation in front of a blackboard in German Sign Language with a bust and pedestal labeled “Max Planck“ beside him.
Ingo Barth presents his research topic “Ionization of degenerate valence orbitals” with scientific diagrams to an attentive audience in a lecture room setting.Sign language interpreters Renata Melka and Claudia Straub seated in the audience, one holding and reading papers.
Ingo Barth presenting “Illustrations of STEM signs”.
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Max Planck Institute of Biophysics @mpibp.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
Komm’ am 12. Juni auf die Night of Science✨! Erlebe, wie aus Stickstoff leckeres Eis🍦wird und welche Aufgaben verschiedene Proteine in unserem Körper übernehmen! Erfahre in Vorträgen und bei einer Elektronenmikroskopie-Tour 🔬 mehr über unsere Forschung! Infos: 👉 www.biophys.mpg.de/de/night-of-...
Eine Waffel mit Wolke vor blauem Hintergrund, Night of Science, 12. Juni, 2026.
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Reposted by Max Planck Institute of Biophysics
Murphy Lab @bjmurphylab.bsky.social · 09/05/2026
We had a great time having Michael Elbaum from the Weizmann Institute visit our institute (@mpibp.bsky.social)! Had an insightful seminar and a fun time at the Krios doing STEM 🔬 Our Krios is upside down according to material scientists so instead of turning our microscope, we turned ourselves!
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Max Planck Institute of Biophysics @mpibp.bsky.social · 18/05/2026
What does a postdoc do in their “free” time? Spoiler: They don’t have any. But when Marcel Heinz does sneak in a few minutes between tasks, he’s busy building a free, no-registration chemical sketcher—kudos for this valuable contribution to the community! 👉 Check out his project: www.bondcraft.net
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Max Planck Institute of Biophysics @mpibp.bsky.social · 20/04/2026
Special thanks to the organisers and to @sonjawelsch.bsky.social for leading this effort. We are looking forward to seeing this knowledge travel back to labs around the world.🌍
Group of diverse people working and collaborating at computers in a modern office setting with bookshelves and large windows.Three young researchers in a lab setting, one working with equipment on the bench, the other gesturing and and talking to the third person.Sonja Welsch sitting cross-legged on an orange cushioned bench with red pillows, wearing jeans, sneakers, and a black sweater indoors.
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Max Planck Institute of Biophysics @mpibp.bsky.social · 20/04/2026
That’s a wrap on our @embo.org #cryoFIB & #cryoET course! It was an incredible week of hands-on learning, collaboration, and shared expertise, made possible by dedicated organizers, incredible trainers, and an engaged group of participants.
A large diverse group of people waving and smiling at the camera in front of scientific posters displayed on a wall.
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Max Planck Institute of Biophysics @mpibp.bsky.social · 17/04/2026
We are having a very hands-on week at the @embo.org #cryoFIB & #cryoET course 🔬 Our participants are learning about sample vitrification, lamella milling, FLM, lift-out, data acquisition and more! We are learning by doing, troubleshooting, and sharing expertise across labs. 🧪
Three female researchers discuss data displayed on dual monitors in a microscopy workspace with keyboards, mouse, and electronic equipment on the desk.Two female researchers working at a computer displaying a 3D scientific visualization on a large curved monitor in a modern office.Two young researchers examining an object with tweezers in a lab setting near a sink and hygiene supplies.Group of participants in a lab setting reviewing microscopy images on computer screens and looking at printed diagrams during a practical course.
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Max Planck Institute of Biophysics @mpibp.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
Participants shared their work and ideas in our poster session at the @embo.org Practical Course on “In-situ structural biology by Cryo-FIB and Cryo-ET” at our institute! It was a great chance to connect, discuss, and get new perspectives on #cryoFIB and #cryoET. 🌍
Three young researchers—two women and one man—stand in front of a poster at a poster session, holding drinks and smiling as they chat. Other people stand in the background.Female researcher pointing at a scientific poster on a borad while two others observe in an indoor setting.Female researcher pointing at a scientific poster on a borad while two others observe in an indoor setting.Two female researchers at the poster session are standing in front of a poster board, holding drinks and chatting, whilst other people stand in the background.
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Max Planck Institute of Biophysics @mpibp.bsky.social · 13/04/2026
We’ve kicked off our @embo.org Practical Course on #cryoFIB & #cryoET! Participants from around the world are joining us this week for hands-on training, from lamella milling to tomogram reconstruction 🔬
Male bald speaker in blue shirt giving a presentation on early days of tomographic imaging in the 1980s, featuring Walter Hoppe and technical diagrams.Audience seated in a room attentively listening to a presentation, some holding notebooks or tablets.Audience seated in a room attentively listening to a presentation, some holding notebooks or tablets.Female researcher presenting colorful microscopic images at Max Planck Institute for Biophysics during the EMBO Practical Course on “In-situ structural biology by Cryo-FIB and Cryo-ET”.
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Reposted by Max Planck Institute of Biophysics
IMPRS on Cellular Biophysics @imprs-cbp.bsky.social · 03/02/2026
Thinking of applying to IMPRS-CBP? 👣 Here’s a quick look at our application process to guide you along the way. 🗓️ Deadline: March 11 Apply here 👉 imprs-cbp.mpg.de/call-for-app... #gradschool @mpibp.bsky.social @goetheuni.bsky.social @unimainz.bsky.social
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Reposted by Max Planck Institute of Biophysics
IMPRS on Cellular Biophysics @imprs-cbp.bsky.social · 13/02/2026
Interested in how membrane proteins are born? Our First IMPRSsion video introduces the McDowell Group and their research (@melaniemcdowell.bsky.social @mpibp.bsky.social). Watch it on our YouTube channel and apply to IMPRS-CBP: youtu.be/rigtICb6yco?... #imprs_cbp #phd #membraneproteins #biophysics
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Reposted by Max Planck Institute of Biophysics
IMPRS on Cellular Biophysics @imprs-cbp.bsky.social · 18/02/2026
Why should you join our #gradschool? Check out our 10 #keyfeatures and find out how we support you during your #phdjourney! Apply by March 11! imprs-cbp.mpg.de/key-features
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Reposted by Max Planck Institute of Biophysics
IMPRS on Cellular Biophysics @imprs-cbp.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
Come visit our @mpibp.bsky.social booth at the @biophysicalsoc.bsky.social #bps2026 meeting in San Francisco! We’re looking forward to chat about our research, PhD opportunities, and international career paths! 🥳 We’d love to connect and take your #cellfie! 🦠 Find us in booth 630! #imprs #imprs_cbp
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Max Planck Institute of Biophysics @mpibp.bsky.social · 12/02/2026
🔗 Learn more about TANGO in Nature Communications: doi.org/10.1038/s414... 📗
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Max Planck Institute of Biophysics @mpibp.bsky.social · 12/02/2026
Ready to TANGO? 💃 In our new publication, Beata Turoňová & Markus Schreiber (@ms314.bsky.social, @becklab.bsky.social) present TANGO: the first cryoET framework to analyze the relation between particle positions and orientations 🪩 All in a single user-friendly package! #CryoET #OpenScience
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Max Planck Institute of Biophysics @mpibp.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
Halle Andrews-Clark—“Everyone should have the same opportunities, regardless of gender, origin or religion.”: www.biophys.mpg.de/2856324/gend...
biophys.mpg.de
“Everyone should have the same opportunities, regardless of gender, origin or religion.”
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Max Planck Institute of Biophysics @mpibp.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
Ana García Sáez—Shining a New Light on Ferroptosis: www.biophys.mpg.de/2857694/shin...
biophys.mpg.de
Shining a New Light on Ferroptosis
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Max Planck Institute of Biophysics @mpibp.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
Ana García Sáez and Uris Ros—Necroptosis Regulation: Balancing Life and Death: www.biophys.mpg.de/2857914/necr...
biophys.mpg.de
Necroptosis Regulation: Balancing Life and Death
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Max Planck Institute of Biophysics @mpibp.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
Pamela Ornelas—Visualizing the Main Gate into Mitochondria: www.biophys.mpg.de/2876415/tom-...
biophys.mpg.de
Visualizing the Main Gate into Mitochondria
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Max Planck Institute of Biophysics @mpibp.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
Lea Dietrich—Awarded Otto Hahn Medal for Junior Scientists: www.biophys.mpg.de/2875474/lea-...
biophys.mpg.de
Lea Dietrich Awarded Otto Hahn Medal for Junior Scientists
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Max Planck Institute of Biophysics @mpibp.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
Els Kuiper—From Grant Writing to Grant: Els Kuiper’s Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship: www.biophys.mpg.de/2895578/mari...
biophys.mpg.de
From Grant Writing to Grant: Els Kuiper’s Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship
Learn from Els Kuipers' journey in securing a prestigious fellowship and the vital role of effective grant writing for researchers.
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Max Planck Institute of Biophysics @mpibp.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
Bonnie Murphy—The Molecular Choreography of Efficient Microbial Carbon Capture: www.biophys.mpg.de/2844976/micr...
biophys.mpg.de
The Molecular Choreography of Efficient Microbial Carbon Capture
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Max Planck Institute of Biophysics @mpibp.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
Melanie McDowell—SNDing Proteins into the Membrane: www.biophys.mpg.de/2887990/snd-...
biophys.mpg.de
SNDing Proteins into the Membrane
Recent structural study reveals a new route for membrane protein insertion in fungi.
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Max Planck Institute of Biophysics @mpibp.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
Ana García Sáez—Ana García-Sáez Awarded Prestigious ERC Grant: www.biophys.mpg.de/2872321/garc...
biophys.mpg.de
Ana García-Sáez Awarded Prestigious ERC Grant
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