Institute for Molecular Bio Science

einricht_mbw

There are currently eleven working groups at the Institute; they investigate a wide variety of molecular aspects of life. This research primarily focuses on microorganisms and plants. Membrane Biology is traditionally one of the strongest areas at the Institute. In this context, the focal point is the analysis of the structure and function of membrane-bound proteins, as well as their regulation and participation in intracellular signalling cascades. In the field of Biotechnology, work is being conducted on the development of microbial cell factories using both classical and recombinant methods to bring about overproduction of a range of enzymes and chemicals. Another new aspect of this field is the identification, characterisation and application of new metabolites from the secondary metabolism of entomopathogenic microbes. Metabolic pathways are selectively altered, e.g. to produce biofuels or to develop therapeutic methods of improving cellular defence.

In Microbial Physiology the emphasis is on metabolic physiology, specifically on its regulation and genetic basis in the Archaea, Bacteria and Eukaryota. The results of this study form the basis of analysis by membrane biologists and biotechnologists, leading to close networking both within the faculty and beyond. Research topics in Molecular Plant Physiology are the energy metabolism of photosynthetic organisms and its underlying organelle interactions. Physiological, structural, biochemical and genetic investigation all play an important part in this research.

Degenerative Processes and Molecular Stress focuses on the investigation of molecular aging mechanisms, especially the role of mitochondria in the aging process, as well as the analysis of cellular responses to heat and light stress. The groups working on Protective Functions of Carotenoids are investigating the molecular mechanism of carotenoid function in strong light conditions, as well as in protection from reactive oxygen species and membrane damage caused by external factors. In the field of Regulatory RNAs, the research focuses on structural and functional analysis of regulatory non-coding RNAs and their interactions with proteins, as well as their biological functions and cellular regulation.

Department

Title

First Name

Surname

Biology and Genetics of Procaryotes

Prof.

Jörg

Soppa

Natural Product Genomics

Prof.

Eric

Helfrich

Merck-Stiftungsprofessur Molecular Biotechnology

Prof.

Helge

Bode

Molecular Microbiology and Bioenergetics

Prof.

Volker 

Müller

Molecular Microbiology and Bioenergetics

Prof.

Beate

Averhoff

Molecular Cell Biology of Plants

Prof.

Enrico

Schleiff

mRNA-based gene regulation

Prof.

Andreas

Schlundt

Plant Cell Physiology

Prof.

Claudia

Büchel

Plant Genetics

Prof.

Yvonne

Stahl

Physiology and Genetics of Lower Eukaryotes

Prof.

Eckhard

Boles

RNA Regulation in Higher Eukaryotes

Prof.

Michaela

Müller-McNicoll

RNA Structural Biology

Prof.

Jens

Wöhnert

The Institute is involved the Bachelor's Programmes in Biological Sciences, Biophysics and Bioinformatics as well as in Teacher Education in Biological Sciences and in the biological training of medical science students. In addition, it offers two master's programmes, Molecular Biological Sciences and Molecular Biotechnology, as well as participating in interdisciplinary master's programmes.

Managing Director:
Prof. Dr. Michaela Müller-McNicoll

Assis. Managing Director:
Prof. Dr. Claudia Büchel

Further information: eMail
Dr. Markus Fauth
Tel: 069 798 29603
Dr. Matthias Rose
Tel: 069 798 29529

Institute for Moelcular Bio Science

Campus Riedberg
Biocentre

Building N210-207
Post office box 6
Max-von-Laue-Str. 9
D-60438 Frankfurt

T +49 69 798-29603
F +49 69 798-29600
info-mbw@bio.uni-frankfurt.de