Press releases - News from the MPI of Biochemistry
Genetic Code 2.0 - Novel Artificial Proteins for Industry and Science
The creation of synthetic proteins plays an important role for economy and science. By the integration of artificial amino acids in proteins (genetic code engineering), their already existing qualities can be systematically improved. Even new biological features can arise. Now, scientists at the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry (MPIB) in Martinsried near Munich, Germany, succeeded in making another important step in this research area: For the first time, they were able to integrate in a single experiment three different synthetic amino acids into one protein.
Various processes in our body are controlled by subsequent changes of proteins. Therefore, the identification of such modifications is essential for the further exploration of our organism. Now, scientists of the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry in Martinsried, Germany, have made a crucial contribution to this: Using a new method, they have been able to identify more than 6,000 glycosylated protein sites in different tissues and have thus established an important basis for the better understanding of all life processes (Cell, May 28, 2010).
Franz-Ulrich Hartl receives Heineken Prize -Award for Research on Protein Folding
Proteins are the cell’s molecular building material and machineries, and they are involved in nearly every bioprocess. For his research on protein folding Franz-Ulrich Hartl, director at the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, will be awarded the Dr H.P. Heineken Prize for Biochemistry and Biophysics. The prize is associated with a prize money amounting to 150,000 dollars and will be awarded by the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) on September 23, 2010 in Amsterdam.
The Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry (MPIB) on April 20th invited its staff members from research and administration as well as interested guests to this year's "Institutstag". Different talks gave insights into the multifaceted research areas of the institute. Another highlight was the distinction of the best junior scientists 2010 and the presentation of their work.
This year's speakers were Reinhard Fässler, Dieter Oesterhelt, Eva Wolf and Nediljko Budisa as well as the winners of the MPIB Junior Research Award 2010: Georgios Karras, Rubén Fernández-Busnadiego, Anika Lange, Christian Luber and Per Stehmeier.
The human body operates by a precisely regulated interplay of different cell types such as blood, nerve and muscle cells. Together with colleagues from the Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP) in Vienna, Austria, scientists of the Max Planck Institute (MPI) of Biochemistry in Martinsried near Munich, Germany, have now succeeded in identifying all genes of the fruit fly Drosophila that play a role in the development and function of muscles.
In order to defend ourselves from viruses, germs and parasites, the immune cells of our body are equipped with different defense systems. For the first time, scientists of the MPI of Biochemistry and the biotech company Bavarian Nordic GmbH in Martinsried have now investigated the proteins of a highly specialized family of immune cells.
Professor Axel Ullrich is the winner of the Wolf Prize in Medicine 2010, which is endowed with 100 000 dollar. Ullrich, director of the Department Molecular Biology at the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry in Martinsried near Munich, receives the prize for his ground-breaking work in cancer research. He laid the scientific basis for the development of several innovative cancer drugs. Herceptin is highly efficacious against metastatic breast cancer that is associated with a specific genetic abnormality in 25% of all the tumors. Another innovative cancer drug, developed on the basis of his research results, is Sunitinib which effectively fights kidney cancer and a rare form of gastrointestinal cancer (GIST). “Prof Ullrich belongs to a small number of basic scientists, whose work has impacted not only basic research, but also aided millions of patients suffering from diverse chronic diseases,” states the International Jury of the Wolf Foundation.
The Wolf Prize was established in 1978 to honor scientists in six different disciplines. After the Nobel Prize, the Wolf Prize belongs to the most prestigious awards in natural sciences worldwide. On Mai 13, Prof. Ullrich will receive the award from President Shimon Peres in the Israeli parliament, the Knesset.
The human brain consists of more than 100 billion nerve cells, and each of them is able to communicate with thousands of its neighbors. Nerve signals let us move, act and think. Scientists of the Max Planck Institute (MPI) of Biochemistry in Martinsried near Munich have now succeeded in obtaining detailed 3D images of synapses, the connections where communication between nerve cells takes place.
The World Climate Conference recently took place. Reports about carbon dioxide levels, rising temperatures and melting glaciers appeared daily. Scientists from the Max Planck Institute (MPI) of Biochemistry and the Gene Center of Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich have now succeeded in rebuilding the enzyme Rubisco, the key protein in carbon dioxide fixation.
Press Release (PDF)
Research Group Chaperon-assisted Protein Folding (Manajit Hayer-Hartl) Research Department Cellular Biochemistry (F.-Ulrich Hartl)
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