Team:Goettingen/Goettingen/MPI

Max-Planck-Institute

The Max Planck Society is an independent, non-profit association whose primary aim is the furtherance of science. In the first place this is achieved by the maintenance of research institutions in Germany as well as in further countries, which are specialized on distinct areas. Besides life- and natural sciences Max Planck institutes research on human disciplines as well, which often also occurs interdisciplinary.

The eponym of the Max Planck Society is Max Planck, the co-inventor of the quantum theory. The association was founded 1948 and possesses nowadays not only a leading position in Germany but acquired a high international reputation.
For instance, was the society in 2006 classified as the best non-university research institution worldwide and although it is a rather new association it can boast already 17 Nobel laureates since its foundation 64 years ago.

The Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry in Göttingen exists since 1971. The basic idea that finally led to the foundation of a further institution was the desire to examine complex life processes using biological as well as chemical and physical methods.
Here, biologists, chemists, physicians and physicists meet and work hand in hand. However, not only its interdisciplinarity makes this institute so interesting. With around 850 employees from up to 50 nations the Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry is not only the biggest of the Max Planck Society but also a very international institution, which brings people of distinct cultures that speak different languages into contact.

The institute comprises eleven scientific departments and 31 independent research groups, which cooperate with each other as well as with further Max Planck Institutes and the Georg-August-University.
As the investigated processes take place at micro- to nanoscopic levels play high resolution instruments an important role. Here, ultrahigh resolution fluorescence microscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and electron microscopy are applied on a daily base. Subsequently, the gathered information is used to create computer-simulated models of various proteins.

Nevertheless, the Max Planck Institue not only concentrates itself on its research but also on teaching. This is why the Demo Lab has been set up. Here, courses for pupils and students take place as well as internal advanced training courses. Thanks to the Professor Neumann’s good relationship to the institute we, the iGEM team Göttingen, were allowed to perform our laboratory work in the mentioned Demo Lab. Beyond that, we have received multifarious support from the employees. We are very pleased and honored to be given the chance to work at such an internationally recognized institution.

For more information visit the homepage of the institute.