Institute for Molecular Biology
| Institute for Molecular Biology | |
|---|---|
| Category: | research Institute |
| Facility location: | Mainz |
| Type of research: | Basic research |
| Areas of expertise: | Developmental biology , epigenetics , DNA repair |
| Basic funding: | Boehringer Ingelheim Foundation, Rhineland-Palatinate |
| Homepage: | www.imb-mainz.de |
The Institute for Molecular Biology gGmbH (IMB) is a research center for the life sciences on the campus of the University of Mainz . It is funded by the Boehringer Ingelheim Foundation. The researchers at the IMB primarily conduct basic research in the areas of developmental biology , epigenetics and DNA repair .
history
- At the beginning of 2009, the Boehringer Ingelheim Foundation made funds available for a new center of excellence in the life sciences .
- The new building of the institute, financed by the state of Rhineland-Palatinate , began in December 2009 on the campus of the University of Mainz.
- In May 2010, developmental biologist Christof Niehrs moved to the new institute as founding director of the DKFZ . The name "Institute for Molecular Biology" and the focus on developmental biology, epigenetics and DNA repair followed.
- Most of the IMB building was officially opened in March 2011.
- Five first research groups started their work at the IMB in July 2011.
- Three more groups followed in January 2012.
research
Developmental biology, epigenetics and DNA repair provide the framework for research at the IMB. Many questions lie at the intersections and affect two or all three of these areas.
The following research groups are currently active at the institute:
- Super resolution microscopy of functional nanostructures in the cell nucleus ( Christoph Cremer )
- Biology of non-coding RNA (René Ketting)
- Modeling regulatory networks (Stefan Legewie)
- DNA demethylation, DNA repair and reprogramming of cells (Christof Niehrs)
- Gene Expression, Transcription Cycles and Dynamic DNA Methylation (George Reid)
- Epigenetic Mechanisms of Cellular Differentiation and Aging (Holger Richly)
- Embryonic development and RNA processing (Jean-Yves Roignant)
- Epigenetic Transcription Regulation in Development and Disease (Natalia Soshnikova)
The scientists are supported in their practical work by central service units. These core facilities provide the latest technologies directly at the IMB.
Infrastructure
The new building, completed in 2011, offers approx. 6000 square meters of space for laboratories, offices, seminar rooms and a large auditorium.
The IMB is located in close proximity to numerous institutes of the Johannes Gutenberg University , two Max Planck Institutes and the Mainz University of Applied Sciences . The University Medical Center of Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz is only a few minutes away. The Goethe University in Frankfurt am Main and the Technical University of Darmstadt are also located in the greater area of the Rhine-Main area .
Young researchers
The IMB supports students and young academics through an annual summer school and an international PhD program.
Persons related to the institute
- Christof Niehrs , winner of the Leibniz Prize , is the founding director of the IMB.
- Rudolf Jaenisch , a pioneer in the field of transgenetic research, is a member of the Scientific Advisory Board.
- Ernst-Ludwig Winnacker , renowned biochemist and research manager, is a member of the Scientific Advisory Board.
literature
- Werner Wenzel: Lighthouse with radiance: Topping-out ceremony for the Institute for Molecular Biology in Mainz . In: Allgemeine Zeitung, September 2, 2010.
- Sascha Zoske: experiments on the switches in genes . In: FAZ No. 68, March 22, 2011, p. 46.
- Sandra Wirsching: IMB and IMP: Sisters in the Spirit . In: transkript - Life Sciences-Magazin Nr. 4, 2011, p. 24.
Web links
- Homepage of the Institute for Molecular Biology
- Homepage of the Boehringer Ingelheim Foundation
- Super resolution microscopy of 3D molecular complexes made of DNA and proteins
Coordinates: 49 ° 59 ′ 21.2 " N , 8 ° 13 ′ 57.4" E