Molecular and Cellular Systems

At the MPI-CBG we aim to uncover how complex biological functions emerge from the interactions of molecular components within cells. This field brings together interdisciplinary approaches to understand how proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and other biomolecules collectively drive the organization, dynamics, and regulation of cellular structures and processes. Researchers in this area investigate a broad spectrum of cellular phenomena, including nuclear self-assembly, intracellular transport, membrane trafficking, solute and lipid transport, phase separation, and the establishment of cell polarity and tissue organization.

A central theme is the effort to bridge molecular mechanisms with higher-order cellular and tissue functions. This involves studying how molecular machineries operate individually and collectively, how biomolecular condensates form through phase separation, and how membrane composition and lipid signaling contribute to cellular function and communication. The interplay between molecular structure and function is also examined in processes such as endocytosis, nuclear reformation after mitosis, and the regulation of metabolically active systems far from thermodynamic equilibrium.

To address these complex questions, research groups employ a wide range of cutting-edge methodologies including in vitro reconstitution of molecular systems, live-cell imaging, quantitative mass spectrometry, genome engineering, calorimetry, and computational modeling. Many groups also develop novel tools and techniques to enable deeper insight into dynamic cellular processes, such as synthetic nanobodies, high-throughput cloning systems, and technologies for analyzing protein and lipid interactions in living cells.

Together, these efforts contribute to a systems-level understanding of how molecular interactions give rise to the emergent properties of cells and tissues, offering insights relevant to development, physiology, and disease.

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