The Max-Planck-Zentrum für Physik und Medizin (MPZPM) is an interdisciplinary joint research center of the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light (MPL), the Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and the Universitätsklinikum Erlangen (UKER). The MPZPM is home to several research groups covering different research areas at the interface of physics and medicine. In addition to five permanent groups (Franze, Guck, Ladoux, Sandoghdar, Zaburdaev), there is room for a further five independent research groups who find excellent research conditions: two W2-level groups from MPL and UKER, and three further groups with their own funding through ERC Starting Grants, ERC Consolidator Grants, or DFG Emmy Noether grants (please contact us if you are interested). Research is supported by central facilities for advanced microscopy, in vivo models, and lab-on-a-chip systems.

The Right Timing of Treatment Keeps Resistant Cells in Check

The development of treatment resistance is one of the key challenges in modern cancer and antibiotic therapy. Researchers at MPZPM have now demonstrated how a deeper understanding of the physical processes occurring in growing tumors and microbial biofilms can contribute to the success of “evolution-based” therapies.

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The bridge connecting physics and medicine now has a name: The Jochen-Guck Bridge has been inaugurated

The bridge connecting MPZPM and the Center for Personalized Medicine and Research (CESAR) on the North Campus of the Universitätsklinikum Erlangen (UKER) has been named the Jochen-Guck Bridge. It is named after the Max Planck director, who passed away in October 2025 and played a key role in establishing MPZPM.

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Lectures on Physics and Medicine

In the next event of our talk series “Lectures on Physics and Medicine” on October 15, Prof. Miki Ebisuya (TU Dresden) will visit MPZPM and give her talk on “Stem Cell Zoo: a platform for studying species-specific developmental tempo and tissue mechanics”.

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With a tiny fish and 2.5 million euros in ERC funding: Fabian Voigt launches new research group at MPZPM

How do animals perceive three-dimensional space? How does the brain translate sensory stimuli into specific behavior? Dr. Fabian Voigt will investigate these questions with a new research group at MPL and MPZPM. To visualize these connections in freely moving animals, the neuroscientist has received an ERC Starting Grant.

The Right Timing of Treatment Keeps Resistant Cells in Check

The development of treatment resistance is one of the key challenges in modern cancer and antibiotic therapy. New therapeutic approaches aim to curb the spread of resistance through the targeted timing of treatment cycles. Researchers at the Max-Planck-Zentrum für Physik und Medizin (MPZPM) have now…

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The bridge connecting physics and medicine now has a name: The Jochen-Guck Bridge has been inaugurated

The bridge connecting the Max-Planck-Zentrum für Physik und Medizin (MPZPM) and the Center for Personalized Medicine and Research (CESAR) on the North Campus of the Universitätsklinikum Erlangen (UKER) has been named the Jochen-Guck Bridge since September 22, 2026. It is named after the Max Planck…

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With a tiny fish and 2.5 million euros in ERC funding: Fabian Voigt launches new research group at MPZPM

How do animals perceive three-dimensional space, and how do they navigate within it? How does the brain translate sensory stimuli into specific behavior? Starting in October, Dr. Fabian Voigt will investigate these questions with a new research group at the Max Planck Institute for the Science of…

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MPZPM press team

To get in contact with our Communications & Marketing Team please feel free to make your request at: presse@mpzpm.mpg.de.

For further information about specific press enquiries or the latest press releases and pictures, please visit our Press Page.

Contact

Spokesperson of the Scientific Board
Prof. Vahid Sandoghdar

Please contact:
Gee-Hye Yeo (PA)
Kussmaulallee 2
91054 Erlangen
Email: guck-office@mpl.mpg.de
Phone: +49 9131 8284 501

Head of Infrastructure
Dr. Dorothe Burggraf

Please contact:
Lisa Spann (PA)
Staudtstraße 2
91058 Erlangen
Email: lisa.spann@mpl.mpg.de
Phone: +49 9131 7133 801

Cooperation partners

Graduate Program