Press Releases
Making a Super-TARP for Super-activation
Biophysicist Professor Dr. Andrew Plested works at the Leibniz Institute for Molecular Pharmacology in Berlin (Germany). He is hot on the trail of a new mechanism of the synaptic function. Last year, Professor Plested's group was able to demonstrate the (...)[more]
The point of release is the key: Identification of a key molecule for the neurotransmitter release in synapses
The contact areas between nerve cells are called synapses. What happens there lies at the heart of communication between nerve cells. Communication starts with the release of chemical messengers known as neurotransmitters at these synapses. (...)[more]
Toward New Antiviral Drugs and Antibiotics
Scientists at Freie Universität Berlin and the Leibniz-Forschungsinstitut für Molekulare Pharmakologie (FMP) have succeeded in revealing a key mechanism of membrane deformation. “This mechanism plays a fundamental role in cell entry of receptors and hormones and (...)[more]
Viruses over antibiotics: Determining the 3D structure of phages at atomic resolution closer thanks to new method
Phages have become a focus of research in the battle against antibiotic resistance. These bacteria-eating viruses have already proven effective in experiments against multidrug-resistant bacteria. However, the atomic structure of these small helpers is unknown. (...)[more]
Volker Haucke is a new member of the National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina
In recognition of his scientific achievements Prof. Dr. Volker Haucke was elected as a member of the National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina in June 2017. He has thus received one of the highest scientific honors awarded by a German institution.[more]
Honorary doctorate conferred on Thomas J. Jentsch
The Berlin-based neuroscientist was named Honorary Doctor by the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE) on May 2, 2017. [more]
New inhibitors curb influenza viruses
Influenza viruses can be dangerous for humans. For this reason, scientists have been looking for ways of stopping this viral infection. Multivalent inhibitors, which bind to the surface of the virus with the aid of numerous ligands, appear to be particularly (...)[more]
Volker Haucke receives the Avanti Award in Lipids
The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) recognises Volker Haucke for his outstanding scientific achievements in membrane biology[more]
A New Role for Autophagosomes in Neurodegeneration
Autophagosomes are at the center of attention, at least since the Nobel Prize for Medicine was awarded for research on autophagy in 2016. The much talked about autophagosomes are small membrane vesicles in charge of waste disposal to promote recycling of its (...)[more]
Thomas Jentsch receives prestigious award from the European Research Council
For the second time Thomas Jentsch receives the ERC Advanced Grant. The physician and physicist studies the importance of ion channels for health and disease.[more]
