Amyloid-type Protein Aggregation

The research group "Amyloid-type Protein Aggregation" investigates how amyloid protein aggregates are formed, how they proliferate in a prion-like manner and how they damage synapses and neurons. Of course, we are also investigating how amyloid aggregates can be targeted and directly disassembled back into functional monomers with highly specific drug candidates. Leitung: Prof. Dr. Dieter Willbold (IBI-7)

"Alzheimer Therapy"

In our research group, we are working on the development of new active substances for the therapy of various neurodegenerative and neurological diseases, such as Alzheimer's dementia (AD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and neuropathic pain, among others. Head: Dr. Janine Kutzsche

Basical research on various protein misfolding diseases (e.g. type 2 diabetes mellitus and Alzheimer's disease) and the development of novel therapeutic approaches

The focus of our research is on the one hand to elucidate the molecular and cellular disease mechanisms of various protein misfolding diseases, with a focus on Alzheimer's dementia and type 2 diabetes mellitus, and on the other hand to develop a causally effective therapy against type 2 diabetes mellitus. Head: Dr. Sarah Schemmert

Beyond autophagy- Atg8-like protein biology

Our goal is to identify unique functions of GABARAP-like proteins at fundamental cellular processes beyond autophagy such as protein trafficking, unconventional protein secretion, and membrane remodeling. Head: Dr. Silke Hoffmann

Biomolecular Solid-State-NMR-Spectroscopy

We apply solid-state NMR spectroscopy to study protein folding and misfolding in all aspects ranging from intrinsically and partially disordered proteins over oligomeric intermediates to well-ordered amyloid fibrills. Head: Prof. Dr. Henrike Heise

Biophysical Chemistry of complex Systems

We investigate the dynamic world of membrane systems and biocatalysis. We are developing tailored biochemical and NMR-spectroscopic methods with the goal of opening up new fields of cellular structural biology. Head: Dr. Manuel Etzkorn

Biophysical NMR spectroscopy

NMR methods development for the structural investigation of intrinsically disordered proteins, their conformational dynamics, lipid membrane interactions, and binding dynamics Head: Dr. Nils Lakomek

Chemical Biology of Protein Aggregation

Using molecular biology, biochemistry, and biophysics methods we investigate protein aggregation, a pathological feature of various diseases including Alzheimer, Parkinson, and diabetes. Head: Dr. Wolfgang Hoyer

Computational Biochemistry Group

We work on the development of biomolecular simulation methods and their application to various problems from the fields of biophysics and biochemistry. Head: Prof. Dr. Birgit Strodel

Computational Structural Biology

The group uses cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) to determine the structure of amyloid proteins. Furthermore, the group develops computational methods for modeling and refinement of protein structures using low resolution or sparse experimental data. We aim to understand the molecular basis of diseases that involve amyloid aggregation, such as Alzheimer's, Parkinsons's, and diabetes. Head: Prof. Dr. Gunnar Schröder

Protein architecture and function

Applying an integrative structural biology approach centered on X-ray crystallography, we are investigating structure and function of biological macromolecules and their relevance for physiology and pathology of a variety of organisms. Head: Prof. Dr. Oliver H. Weiergräber

Protein Misfolding and Neurodegeneration

We develop diagnostic tests, vaccines, and therapeutics against protein aggregation and neurodegeneration in Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease and ALS. Head: Prof. Dr. Erdem Gültekin Tamgüney

Structure and Function of mammalian proteins and their molecular pathologies

Our research interest is the molecular pathology of proteins relevant in human health. This includes disease mechanisms based on molecular dysfunction as well as the misuse of host proteins by pathogens in infection. Head: Prof. Dr. Jörg Labahn

Structural Basis of Protein Signaling

We study structure-function relationships in proteins of biological and biotechnological importance, combining biochemical, biophysical, and X-ray crystallographic techniques. Head: Prof. Dr. Renu Batra-Safferling

Structural-guide drug development to combat neglected and emerging diseases

We are working on drug development against SARS-CoV-2 and neglected infection diseases with a major impact on Vector-borne viruses. Head: Dr. Mônika Coronado and Dr. Raphael Eberle (IBI-7)

SuFIDA - Disruptive Digital Diagnostics

The SuFIDA Innovation Lab, funded by the Helmholtz Association, develops digital assays for low-concentration targets with highly specific single-molecule sensitivity. Head: Dr. Tuyen Bujnicki

Thermodynamic and kinetic insights into the formation of amyloid

In vitro and ex vivo studies on the mechanism of amyloid formation using biophysical methods Head: Dr. Luitgard Nagel-Steger

Towards understanding the molecular pathomechanisms of schizophrenia

Publications