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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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Plan your career at the Institute.

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.

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Scientific Facilities and Services

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

News

How Sex Is Decided: New Max Planck Research Group Probes the Evolution of Sex Determination

January 14, 2026

Qiaowei Pan heads the new “Insect Sex Determination and Development” research group at the Max Planck Institute for Biology Tübingen.

Bridging Minds Workshop participants with Catarina Lino and Patience Chatukuta

Bridging Minds Across Continents

December 19, 2025

Interview with a doctoral researcher on how a genomics workshop in Zimbabwe laid the groundwork for a new model for North-South scientific collaboration.

Three MPI for Biology researchers again named among the world’s “highly cited” for 2025

December 05, 2025

William Walters, Ruth Ley, and Detlef Weigel have once again been recognised among the top 1% of highly cited scientists worldwide, according to Clarivate’s Highly Cited Researchers 2025 list.

More news

Talks and Events

DSSS - Decoding Cellular Quality Control via Evolutionary Cell Biology

Jan 22, 2026 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (Local Time Germany)

MPH lecture hall, Max-Planck-Ring 6

DSSS - Need for Speed: Accelerating Biocatalytic Innovation through Data-Driven and Cell-Free Approaches

Feb 5, 2026 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (Local Time Germany)

MPH lecture hall, Max-Planck-Ring 6

DSSS - tba

Feb 12, 2026 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (Local Time Germany)

MPH lecture hall, Max-Planck-Ring 6

January 2026

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Dr. Daniel Ibrahim

Jan 15, 2026 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM (Local Time Germany)

Prof. Dr. Yasin Dagdas

Jan 22, 2026 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 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.