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Welcome to the Max Planck Institute for Biology Tübingen

Learn more about us and our organisation.

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Research overview

Find out more about the scientific research areas.

Researchers in lab coats examine plant specimens on display at the MPI for Biology's Diversity Day

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Director Andrei Lupas in a lab meeting with department colleagues

Latest Research News and Events

Stay up to date on all scientific seminars, lectures, and news.

Female doctoral researcher working at a microscope, surrounded by green lighting and lab equipment

Scientific Facilities and Services

The Institute has a wide range of specialized high-end instrumentation in our dedicated research facilities.

News

Nematode-trapping fungi induce sleep in C. elegans through mechanical stress and neuron activation.
Illustration showing nematode-trapping fungi causing quiescence in C. elegans by stress-induced neuron activation.
Diagram depicting the process where nematode-trapping fungi exert mechanical stress on C. elegans, leading to neuron activation and induced sleep.

The survival strategy of “freezing” when trapped by a predator

September 09, 2025

Nematode worms enter a sleep-like state when captured by predatory fungi, shedding light on ancient survival strategies.

Can Aztekin receives Starting Grant from the European Research Council

September 03, 2025

Early-stage researcher wins coveted grant for their work on limb regeneration in mammals.

A microscopic image of a few multiple translucent, light brown filaments of brown algae. The filaments are segmented into a series of rectangular cells. Darker structures are the reproductive cells where male or female gametes are produced.

Ancient origins and evolutionary fate of sex chromosomes in brown algae

August 26, 2025

The genomes of brown algal species with diverse sexual systems reveal how sex chromosomes originate, evolve, and sometimes transform into autosomes

More news

Talks and Events

DSSS - Drosophila host defenses against secreted microbial toxins: resilience against Aspergillus fumigatus toxins

Nov 12, 2025 03:00 PM - 04:00 PM (Local Time Germany)

NO.002, MPI für Intelligente Systeme

DSSS - tba

Nov 21, 2025 03:00 PM - 04:00 PM (Local Time Germany)

MPH lecture hall, Max-Planck-Ring 6

DSSS - tbd

Nov 28, 2025 03:00 PM - 04:00 PM (Local Time Germany)

MPH lecture hall, Max-Planck-Ring 6

November 2025

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Dr. Dominique Ferrandon

Nov 12, 2025 from 03:00 PM to 04:00 PM (Local Time Germany)

Dr. Honour McCann

Nov 21, 2025 from 03:00 PM to 04:00 PM (Local Time Germany)

Prof. Ueli Grossniklaus

Nov 28, 2025 from 03:00 PM to 04:00 PM (Local Time Germany)

More events

Videos

Photo of Director Andrei Lupas talking about the research undertaken in his department

The Origin of Life

Youtube-Video

Introduction into the key research fields of the Department of Protein Evolution, led by Andrei Lupas.

Photo of Director Ruth Ley in the laboratory

On the Trail of Gut Microbes

Youtube-Video

Get to know the Department of Microbiome Science which is headed by Ruth Ley.

Photo of Director Susana Coelho in the laboratory

The Evolution of Sexual Systems

Youtube-Video

Dive into algal research and the science behind the evolution of the sexes at the Department of Algal Devolopment and Evolution, directed by Susana Coelho.

Photo of Director Ralf Sommer walking through his department's lab

Adaptability of Life

Youtube-Video

Learn more about the adpatability of organisms to their environment which the reseach department of Ralf Sommer is focusing on.

Photo of Director Detlef Weigel in the laboratory greenhouse

The Future of Biodiversity

Youtube-Video

How can the diversity of life become preserved? Learn more about the research and answers of Detlef Weigel at his Department of Molecular Biology.

Director Detlef Weigel in an interview held in the laboratory greenhouse

The Consequences of Climate Change

Youtube-Video

Climate change forces plant populations to adapt. Detlef Weigel has studied how the future climate will affect their survival.

Research Group Leader Honour McCann in an interview holding a bunch of bananas and discussing plant pathogen evolution

Plant Pathogen Evolution: Bananas

Honour McCann's introduces the impact of the plant pathogen on banana plantations.