"Wassersicherheit für Mensch und Umwelt" – darum geht es in der Wasserinitiative von @helmholtz.de, zusammengefasst von der Leipziger Zeitung hier: www.l-iz.de/bildung/fors...
Im Projekt SOLVE analyiseren wir @mdc-berlin.bsky.social die genetische Informationen aus Wasserproben. … (1/3)
Portrait of Karina Yaniv in a lab, with shelves of containers in the background. Overlaid text reads “Karina Yaniv joins HI-TAC as Scientific Director,” along with the Max Delbrück Center logo in the lower right-hand corner.
Karina Yaniv joins HI-TAC as new Scientific Director of Systemic AngioCardioScience.
Her research focuses on how blood and lymph vessels develop and function, aiming to translate findings into clinical applications.
More:
👉 www.mdc-berlin.de/news/press/k... #mdcBerlin | @uniheidelberg.bsky.social
Microscopy image with cells highlighted in purple and cyan on a dark background. Overlaid text reads “How do nerve cells initiate pain?” with a white Max Delbrück Center logo in the lower right-hand corner.
Researchers at the Max Delbrück Center combined Deep Visual Proteomics with patch-clamp to map proteins in specific pain-sensing neurons.
The results offer new insights into chronic pain and potential drug targets.
👉 www.mdc-berlin.de/news/press/f... 👈 #mdcBerlin
Promotional graphic for the Max Delbrück Center Bioengineering Symposium. A colorful microscopy image appears at the top. Text reads “Bioengineering Symposium,” “Register now,” and “July 6, 2026 | Berlin-Buch,” with the Max Delbrück Center logo.
Bioengineering is a growing focus here at the Max Delbrück Center.
On July 6, 2026, the Bioengineering Symposium in Berlin-Buch brings together international researchers across bioengineering, quantitative biology, and AI.
Program & registration:
👉 www.mdc-berlin.de/BioE-2026 👈 #mdcBerlin
Promotional graphic for a "Berlin Brains on Tour" event. A colorful microscopy image of brain tissue appears in the background. Overlaid text reads “Nanoplastic in the brain,” “Berlin Brains on Tour,” “Zeiss-Großplanetarium,” and “April 17, 2026,” with the Max Delbrück Center logo in the lower right-hand corner.
Nanoplastic can reach the human brain. What happens then?
Researchers from the Max Delbrück Center will explore this at “Berlin Brains on Tour” on April 17, 2026, at the Zeiss-Großplanetarium in Berlin.
Free admission. Tickets and more information:
👉 www.mdc-berlin.de/news/events/... 👈
portrait of a man. Text: "Happy 85th birthday, Detlev Ganten!"
Our founding director, physician and pharmacologist Detlev Ganten, celebrates his 85th birthday on March 28, 2026.
Without his dedication, the Max Delbrück Center would not exist as we know it today. We thank him and extend our warmest congratulations!
Read more: www.mdc-berlin.de/news/news/ha...
a woman and a man. Text: "Our first global fellow postdocs"
We welcome our first global fellows: Sakshi Shambhavi and @jmartcan.bsky.social.
Our new Global Fellow Postdoctoral Program brings researchers into multiple labs at once.
👉 Details: www.mdc-berlin.de/news/news/ou...
@leifludwig.bsky.social @simonhaas.bsky.social @helmholtz.de
scientific image. Text: "Chaos in lymph nodes promotes cancer"
In aggressive #lymphomas, inflammatory messengers reprogram the “conductors” of the immune system, causing lymph node structure to collapse. A team led by @simonhaas.bsky.social describes this process in “Nature Cancer” using #singlecell and spatial analyses: www.mdc-berlin.de/news/press/c...
A close-up of a human brain held in gloved hands in a laboratory setting. The surface of the brain and its blood vessels are visible. © Charité | Maria Streltsova
A gloved hand places a sample slide into a sequencing device illuminated with green light. © Max Delbrück Center | David Ausserhofer
A fluorescence microscopy image showing tissue with red and green signals on a dark background, with a scale bar indicating 300 micrometers. © Max Delbrück Center | Georg Braune, Rajewsky Lab
A person wearing blue gloves holds a multi-well plate containing organoids in liquid culture. © Einstein Stiftung | Pablo Castagnola
At the Einstein Center for Early Disease Interception, researchers from twelve Berlin institutions will be pooling their expertise to explore new approaches to prevention, long before symptoms appear, and bring them quickly into practice. Today marks its opening.
👉 www.mdc-berlin.de/news/press/l...
Graphic with text announcing the Max Delbrück Center Bioengineering Symposium. A colorful microscopy image of cells appears at the top. Text reads “Bioengineering Symposium,” “Save the date,” and “July 6, 2026 | Berlin-Buch,” with the Max Delbrück Center logo in the lower right corner.
Save the date: The #mdcBerlin Bioengineering Symposium will take place on July 6, 2026 in Berlin-Buch.
Co-organized with @springernature.com, the event will bring together researchers working at the intersection of bioengineering, quantitative biology and AI. Registration & details to follow!
A laboratory device labeled “Chromium Controller” is shown in close-up. A gloved hand inserts a sample plate into the machine. Overlaid text reads “Making immunotherapy safer,” with the Max Delbrück Center logo in the corner.
Checkpoint inhibitors have transformed cancer treatment – but they can increase the risk of heart disease.
With €1.3M in funding from the Hector Foundation, researchers including a team from the #mdcBerlin are studying how to make these therapies safer.
More: 👉 www.mdc-berlin.de/news/news/ho...
Scientific image with text overlay: The image shows a microscopy view of cells on a gray background with numerous bright green fluorescent clusters scattered across the surface. The cellular shapes appear irregular and spread out, with a white scale bar labeled “1000 µm” near the lower center. Overlaid text appears in bold white sans-serif font within dark blue rectangular boxes at the upper left. It reads, “HOW ANCIENT VIRAL DNA CONTRIBUTES TO PREECLAMPSIA.” In the lower right corner is a blue “MAX DELBRÜCK CENTER” logo.
Ancient viral DNA still shapes human biology today.
Research at the #mdcBerlin discovered that a viral regulatory element controls placental genes linked to the condition. The work connects genome evolution to pregnancy complications and earlier diagnosis.
🔗 More: www.mdc-berlin.de/news/news/an...
Ahead of #InternationalWomensDay, meet #mdcBerlin researcher and group leader Melissa Birol.
Her lab models how neurodegenerative diseases progress – focusing on intrinsically disordered proteins and their role in brain dysfunction.
🔗 More: www.mdc-berlin.de/about/values... #WomenInSTEM
Graphic with scientific image and text: The image features a dark, high-resolution microscopy view of a small organism shown from above, with green and red fluorescent signals highlighting internal structures against a black background. The scientific image is placed at the top and framed by a wide light blue background. Below the image, bold white sans-serif text appears inside dark magenta rectangular boxes reading, “HOW GUT MICROBES INFLUENCE THE HEART.” In the lower right corner is a dark blue “MAX DELBRÜCK CENTER” logo.
Some gut bacteria talk to the heart – through the brain.
Researchers at the #mdcBerlin identified a gut–brain–heart pathway in zebrafish. A microbial metabolite (IAA) influenced specific neurons and heart function.
🔗 Full story: www.mdc-berlin.de/news/news/gu...
#CardiovascularResearch
Scientific image with text overlay: The image shows a grayscale MRI scan of a human head in profile, with the eye and surrounding anatomical structures clearly visible. A yellow arrow points to a bright, rounded area. The background is dark, emphasizing the contrast of the scan. Overlaid text appears in bold white sans-serif font within magenta and teal rectangular boxes at the top. It reads, “POWERFUL TOOL: METAMATERIAL BOOSTS MRI IMAGE QUALITY.” In the lower right corner is a white logo of the Max Delbrück Center.
Can engineered materials improve MRI performance without replacing scanners?
Researchers at #mdcBerlin and Rostock University Medical Center developed a metamaterial-based RF antenna tested at 7.0T, enabling high-resolution imaging of the eye and orbit.
🔗 More: www.mdc-berlin.de/news/press/n...
Scientific image with text overlay: The image shows a fluorescent microscopy view of brain tissue with blue-stained nuclei and green punctate signals scattered throughout a dark background. The cellular structures fill the frame, creating a dense, speckled pattern in blue and green tones. Overlaid text appears in bold white sans-serif font within blue rectangular boxes at the upper left. It reads, “SIMILAR KINASES PLAY DISTINCT ROLES IN THE BRAIN.” In the lower right corner, a blue box displays the white “MAX DELBRÜCK CENTER” logo.
Two similar enzymes – distinct roles in the brain.
Researchers at the #mdcBerlin show that MNK1 and MNK2 regulate different behaviors and molecular pathways. The findings may help guide more selective therapies for neurological disorders.
🔗 Read more: www.mdc-berlin.de/news/press/s...
Scientific image with text overlay: The image shows the analysis of IRF4 (colored brown) in a form of lymphoma. The cellular pattern fills the entire frame. Overlaid text appears in bold white sans-serif font within red rectangular boxes across the center and lower left. It reads, “IMMUNOLOGY & INFLAMMATION SYMPOSIUM.” Below, smaller red boxes contain white text reading “BERLIN-MITTE” and “MAR 17, 2026.” Visible in the lower right corner is a white-on-blue logo of the “MAX DELBRÜCK CENTER”.
Where is immunology heading next – and who will shape it?
On March 17, Berlin’s immunology community gathers for the I&I Symposium 2026.
🗣️ Keynote: Matteo Iannacone (Hospital San Raffaele, Milan)
📅 Abstract deadline: March 1
🔗 Info and registration: www.mdc-berlin.de/news/events/...
#mdcBerlin
New #WeAreEULIFE story: Martin Schaefer started his journey as a PhD student at the Max Delbrück Center in Berlin – today he leads a lab at IEO in Milan.
@eu-life.bsky.social connects 17 European life science institutes committed to collaboration and research excellence.
More stories coming soon.
![Photo with text overlay: The image shows a woman [SooJin Anjou] seated at a grand piano on a stage, lit by soft blue lighting. She is playing the instrument while facing slightly to the side, with audience silhouettes visible in the foreground. The piano bears the “Steinway & Sons” logo, and the background is a smooth, blue-toned wall.
Overlaid text appears in white sans-serif font within teal rectangular boxes on the left side. It reads, “SPARK 12,” followed by “SEEKING THE MYSTERIOUS IN ART AND SCIENCE.” Below, additional text reads, “MDC-BIMSB” and “FEB 26, 2026.” In the lower right corner, the “MAX DELBRÜCK CENTER” logo appears in white.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:xe7uchirikbpccf37pu52pz2/bafkreid6eddb6szblm63wfan2kiyceyc35gln5qyfggidq42bnrr5so364)
Photo with text overlay: The image shows a woman [SooJin Anjou] seated at a grand piano on a stage, lit by soft blue lighting. She is playing the instrument while facing slightly to the side, with audience silhouettes visible in the foreground. The piano bears the “Steinway & Sons” logo, and the background is a smooth, blue-toned wall. Overlaid text appears in white sans-serif font within teal rectangular boxes on the left side. It reads, “SPARK 12,” followed by “SEEKING THE MYSTERIOUS IN ART AND SCIENCE.” Below, additional text reads, “MDC-BIMSB” and “FEB 26, 2026.” In the lower right corner, the “MAX DELBRÜCK CENTER” logo appears in white.
Einstein called the mysterious the source of all true art and science.
SPARK 12 explores what that means today – through music and discussion.
🎶 Messiaen’s "Complete Preludes for Piano" & video by "Lillevan"
💬 “Seeking the Mysterious in Art and Science.”
👉 More: www.mdc-berlin.de/news/events/...
Photo with logo: The image shows four people standing on a stage behind a white podium in a large auditorium. One person is speaking while the others stand beside them, all wearing name badges on blue lanyards. A vertical banner in the background reads “MINTec” with additional smaller text. The audience appears in shadow in the foreground. In the lower right corner, a blue logo with reads “MAX DELBRÜCK CENTER.”
🏆 The student-led podcast scienceCLASH, developed at Gläsernes Labor (Life Science Learning Lab) on #CampusBuch, has won a MINT-EC School Award.
Season 2 is already in the works – focusing on #AI and neurobiology.
🔗 More: www.mdc-berlin.de/news/news/sc...
#mdcBerlin | 📸 © David Heitz / MINT-EC
Graphic with photo and text: The image is framed by a magenta border and shows individual portraits of two people standing in a modern, enclosed walkway with repeating metal beams and glass panels. Both face the camera and smile; one stands with arms crossed, the other with hands relaxed at the sides. Overlaid text appears in bold white sans-serif font within dark blue rectangular boxes near the center. It reads, “A JUMP-START FOR TWO SPIN-OFFS.” Below, smaller white sans-serif text on the magenta background states: “Pre-GoBio supports two new ventures in oncology and neuromuscular research. Normally, the program can only fund one idea per year, but additional support from the Helmholtz Association freed up resources to fund another project for one year as well.”
Two research projects at #mdcBerlin are taking the next step toward the market.
Through Pre-GoBio, Paul Schöpe is advancing a colorectal cancer drug candidate, and Ines Lahmann is developing NMJCare to test therapies for neuromuscular diseases.
🔗 More details: www.mdc-berlin.de/news/news/ju...
On International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we introduce another voice shaping research and career development at the #mdcBerlin: Katja Simon, group leader and Associate Director for Scientific Talent Management.
🔗 More: www.mdc-berlin.de/news/news/pi... #WomenInScience #February11 #STEM
![Portrait photo with text overlay: The image shows a woman [Mina Gouti] with long blonde hair against a black background, facing the camera with a slight smile and resting her chin on her hand. She is wearing a black blazer and a ring on her finger. The lighting is focused on her face, with the background fading into dark tones.
Overlaid text appears in bold white sans-serif font inside red rectangular boxes near the lower left. It reads, “CHARITÉ AWARDS PROFESSORSHIP TO MINA GOUTI.”](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:xe7uchirikbpccf37pu52pz2/bafkreicq6qkhdb5umjle66uqywqi2llugjttavpwam6pw7dfyznupmm3h4)
Portrait photo with text overlay: The image shows a woman [Mina Gouti] with long blonde hair against a black background, facing the camera with a slight smile and resting her chin on her hand. She is wearing a black blazer and a ring on her finger. The lighting is focused on her face, with the background fading into dark tones. Overlaid text appears in bold white sans-serif font inside red rectangular boxes near the lower left. It reads, “CHARITÉ AWARDS PROFESSORSHIP TO MINA GOUTI.”
Bringing complex organoid research closer to clinical practice: #CharitéBerlin appoints #mdcBerlin researcher and group leader Mina Gouti as W3 Professor, strengthening collaboration between organoid research and clinical practice.
🔗 Read more: www.mdc-berlin.de/news/news/pr...
Group photo Text: Immunology & Inflammation Symposium Berlin Mar 17, 2026
Registration now open for the I&I Berlin Symposium 2026!
Are you part of Berlin’s immunology community or planning to become one?
On March 17, 2026, the symposium bringing together researchers, clinicians, & early-career scientists working on immunology and inflammation.
![Photo with text overlay: The image shows a close-up photograph of a small dark-furred animal [Bavarian vole] nestled in dry grass, straw, and plant debris. The animal’s face is centered and partially framed by the surrounding vegetation, with textures of hay and soil filling the background.
Overlaid text appears in bold white sans-serif font set in dark blue rectangular boxes across the upper half of the image. It reads, “Sebastian Diecke's platform receives €200k grant” followed by “A second chance for an endangered species.” In the lower right corner is a dark blue logo of the “MAX DELBRÜCK CENTER.”](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:xe7uchirikbpccf37pu52pz2/bafkreibphn7tmurqxefwidedfzdomhtzwwnlxirqomfilclzgou3k3ndca)
Photo with text overlay: The image shows a close-up photograph of a small dark-furred animal [Bavarian vole] nestled in dry grass, straw, and plant debris. The animal’s face is centered and partially framed by the surrounding vegetation, with textures of hay and soil filling the background. Overlaid text appears in bold white sans-serif font set in dark blue rectangular boxes across the upper half of the image. It reads, “Sebastian Diecke's platform receives €200k grant” followed by “A second chance for an endangered species.” In the lower right corner is a dark blue logo of the “MAX DELBRÜCK CENTER.”
A mammal once thought extinct is getting a second chance.
Researchers at the #mdcBerlin are using genomics and stem cell research to support conservation efforts for the Bavarian pine vole.
🔗 More about the project: www.mdc-berlin.de/news/news/he...
#mdcBerlin
![Portrait photo with text overlay: The image shows a woman [Maike Sander] standing indoors against a softly blurred modern background, facing the camera. She wears glasses and a dark blazer over a light top, with a calm, confident expression. The composition is centered on her upper body, with neutral gray tones in the background.
Overlaid text appears in white sans-serif font within a large dark magenta box covering the lower half of the image. A quotation mark icon appears at the top left of the box. The text reads: “Helmholtz Health, the Health Research Field of the Helmholtz Association, is ready to actively help shape the decade of post-infectious diseases – through research that identifies causes and develops solutions for those affected.” Below, smaller white text reads: “Maike Sander” and “Vice President Helmholtz Health & Scientific Director, Max Delbrück Center.”](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:xe7uchirikbpccf37pu52pz2/bafkreiepf73ephrd6ie4k7hapnz6kmamybcm66hdtwjyrt5c2zxwklv3qe)
Portrait photo with text overlay: The image shows a woman [Maike Sander] standing indoors against a softly blurred modern background, facing the camera. She wears glasses and a dark blazer over a light top, with a calm, confident expression. The composition is centered on her upper body, with neutral gray tones in the background. Overlaid text appears in white sans-serif font within a large dark magenta box covering the lower half of the image. A quotation mark icon appears at the top left of the box. The text reads: “Helmholtz Health, the Health Research Field of the Helmholtz Association, is ready to actively help shape the decade of post-infectious diseases – through research that identifies causes and develops solutions for those affected.” Below, smaller white text reads: “Maike Sander” and “Vice President Helmholtz Health & Scientific Director, Max Delbrück Center.”
Post-infectious diseases like Long COVID remain poorly understood.
Germany launched the National Decade Against Post-Infectious Diseases to improve research, diagnostics, and care.
The #mdcBerlin contributes through #Helmholtz Health and the NAKO Health Study.
🔗 www.bmftr.bund.de/SharedDocs/D...
🧠 How do brain organoids help researchers study the earliest stages of Alzheimer’s disease?
#mdcBerlin's Agnieszka Rybak-Wolf explains what drives her and how advanced brain organoid models help her team explore how the disease may be initiated.
🔗 Full article: www.mdc-berlin.de/news/news/ag...
![Portrait photo with text overlay: The image shows a woman [Tabea Rauscher] standing centered in a modern, enclosed walkway with repeating metal beams and a glass roof, creating a symmetrical corridor effect. She faces the camera with arms crossed, wearing a black blazer over a red-and-black patterned top. The background is softly blurred.
Overlaid text appears in white sans-serif font within light blue rectangular boxes across the lower half of the image. It reads, “TABEA RAUSCHER JOINS AS THE NEW HEAD OF COMMUNICATIONS.”](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:xe7uchirikbpccf37pu52pz2/bafkreifwtmil4uujxqmeyulgu3oy5o6l34bz4oyf7kh27253boy3w7qw6u)
Portrait photo with text overlay: The image shows a woman [Tabea Rauscher] standing centered in a modern, enclosed walkway with repeating metal beams and a glass roof, creating a symmetrical corridor effect. She faces the camera with arms crossed, wearing a black blazer over a red-and-black patterned top. The background is softly blurred. Overlaid text appears in white sans-serif font within light blue rectangular boxes across the lower half of the image. It reads, “TABEA RAUSCHER JOINS AS THE NEW HEAD OF COMMUNICATIONS.”
How research reaches society depends on who tells the story.
At the #mdcBerlin, that story is now shaped by Tabea Rauscher, our new Head of Communications. She joins us from @embl.org, bringing years of experience at the intersection of science, strategy, and design.
📷 Felix Petermann
![Portrait photo with text overlay: The image shows a person [Maike Sander] standing indoors in a modern architectural setting, leaning lightly on a railing. She wears a light blue suit with a white top and glasses, and looks slightly to the side, away from the camera. The background is softly blurred, showing stairs and glass elements in neutral tones.
Overlaid text appears in bold sans-serif fonts. A red rectangular label near the lower right reads “TABLE.FORUM” in white all-caps text. Below, white all-caps text in dark magenta boxes reads “MAIKE SANDER’S VIEW ON INNOVATION HUBS.”](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:xe7uchirikbpccf37pu52pz2/bafkreidiuszwk2ar5t7x3ws6s5km7m6m6wjksuhrcqygy3hnqn5y3gi7wu)
Portrait photo with text overlay: The image shows a person [Maike Sander] standing indoors in a modern architectural setting, leaning lightly on a railing. She wears a light blue suit with a white top and glasses, and looks slightly to the side, away from the camera. The background is softly blurred, showing stairs and glass elements in neutral tones. Overlaid text appears in bold sans-serif fonts. A red rectangular label near the lower right reads “TABLE.FORUM” in white all-caps text. Below, white all-caps text in dark magenta boxes reads “MAIKE SANDER’S VIEW ON INNOVATION HUBS.”
🧪 During the COVID-19 pandemic, research in Germany moved at exceptional speeds.
Maike Sander argues this experience shows how innovation can be sustained beyond a crisis – especially in hubs where research, talent, and capital come together.
MORE: 🔗 table.media/forum/die-kr... #mdcBerlin
