Max Delbrück Center

The Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (Max Delbrück Center) is one of the world’s leading biomedical research institutions. Max Delbrück, a Berlin native, was a Nobel laureate and one of the founders of molecular biology. At the locations in Berlin-Buch and Mitte, researchers from some 70 countries study human biology – investigating the foundations of life from its most elementary building blocks to systems-wide mechanisms. By understanding what regulates or disrupts the dynamic equilibrium of a cell, an organ, or the entire body, we can prevent diseases, diagnose them earlier, and stop their progression with tailored therapies. Patients should be able to benefit as soon as possible from basic research discoveries. This is why the Max Delbrück Center supports spin-off creation and participates in collaborative networks. It works in close partnership with Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin in the jointly-run Experimental and Clinical Research Center (ECRC), the Berlin Institute of Health (BIH) at Charité, and the German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK). Founded in 1992, the Max Delbrück Center today employs 1,800 people and is 90 percent funded by the German federal government and 10 percent by the State of Berlin.

Research Program:

1.179

employees (as of 2023). Of these, 764 in science and 415 in administration with a 60,5 percent share of women.

82

research groups at the MDC work in three main research topics.

25

European Research Council Grants (ERC Grants)

Research programs

Systems medicine and cardiovascular disease

Health
"ChatGPT for Medical Professionals"

What does an artificial intelligence (AI) model look like that can answer a wide variety of medical questions using radiological image data? The Human Radiome Project aims to set the gold standard.
Information
Mind the Gap & Innovate!

Students and scientists from the Helmholtz Association met in Berlin to take part in an Accelerator Bootcamp. In this interview, Andrea Frahm, Head of Helmholtz Israel Office, and Amnon Dekel,…
Health
The revolution from the test tube

Just as engineers changed our outer world with the findings of physics in the last century, bioengineers are on the cusp of transforming our inner world with the tools of biomedicine in this century.…
Information
New horizons for science

Foundation models are complex AI applications whose potential for science can hardly be overestimated. They require huge amounts of data, enormous computing power and expertise. The Helmholtz…
Health, Matter
How basic research creates a launchpad for innovations

The successful development of the mRNA active ingredient highlights the vital role basic research plays in applications.
Health
How salt weakens the power plants of our cells

Five questions for Sabrina Geisberger, biochemist at the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC).