Welcome to the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology

Welcome to the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology

We investigate how organisms interact with chemical signals.
We do research in the lab to better understand interactions at a molecular level.

We do research in the lab to better understand interactions at a molecular level.

Photo: Anna Schroll
We do research in the glasshouse and in the field to better understand interactions and signals in their natural environment.

We do research in the glasshouse and in the field to better understand interactions and signals in their natural environment.

Photo: Anna Schroll
We support the Initiative “Weltoffenes Thüringen”.

We support the Initiative “Weltoffenes Thüringen”.

We are committed to ensuring that people from different backgrounds live and work together in a respectful manner.
Training and international collaborations are key features of our work.

Training and international collaborations are key features of our work.

Photo: Anna Schroll
We believe diversity and inclusion leads to the best science.

We believe diversity and inclusion leads to the best science.

Photo: Jürgen Scheere

Research News

Key protein for the biosynthesis of defense steroids in solanaceous plants discovered
Max Planck researchers identify the crucial protein for controlling the biosynthesis of steroidal glycoalkaloids and saponins in plants of the genus Solanum and for the first time demonstrate the ecological role of steroidal saponins in insect defense
An enzyme originally derived from basic plant metabolism controls the synthesis of steroidal glycoalkaloids, important defense substances in tomatoes.
An enzyme originally derived from basic plant metabolism controls the synthesis of steroidal glycoalkaloids, important defense substances in tomatoes. 
 
Pit-building venom mixers
A complex venom system allows antlions to overpower large prey

Current News and Announcements

Publications

Kimbadi Lombe, B.; Zhou, T.; Caputi, L.; Ploss, K.; O’Connor, S. E.: Biosynthetic origin of the methoxy group in quinine and related Cinchona alkaloids. bioRxiv: the preprint server for biology (2024)
Colinas, M.; Morweiser, C.; Dittberner, O.; Chioca, B.; Alam, R. M.; Leucke, H.; Nakamura, Y.; Serna Guerrero, D. A.; Heinicke, S.; Kunert, M. et al.; Wurlitzer, J.; Ploß, K.; Hong, B.; Grabe, V.; Lopes, A. A.; O’Connor, S. E.: Independent evolution of ipecac alkaloid biosynthesis. bioRxiv: the preprint server for biology (2024)
Gandhi, A.; Reichelt, M.; Goyal, D.; Vadassery, J.; Oelmüller, R.: Trichoderma harzianum protects the Arabidopsis salt overly sensitive 1 mutant against salt stress. Journal of Plant Growth Regulation (2024)

News

The doctoral researcher from the Department of Insect Symbiosis gave an excellent talk about the temporal and spatial dynamics of symbiont lineages in a grain pest beetle.
At the 39th Annual Meeting of the International Society of Chemical Ecology (ISCE), currently taking place in Prague, Jonathan Gershenzon, Managing Director of our Institute and Head of the Department of Biochemistry, was awarded the Society's Silver Medal.
Jonathan Gershenzon, Head of the Department of Biochemistry, has been elected to membership of the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO). This prestigious honor recognizes his outstanding contributions to the life sciences.

Events and Seminars

Michelle Afkhami

to be announced
Nov 4, 2024 03:00 PM (Local Time Germany)
online via zoom
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