Physics and Medicine

Our research focuses on fundamental questions in medicine from a completely new physical perspective. The aim is to use this perspective to contribute new insights into the understanding of living systems, biological processes and their pathological changes, and to transfer these insights into diagnostic and therapeutic applications.

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-chip systems.

Bavarian Minister of the Interior Joachim Herrmann visits the Max-Planck-Zentrum für Physik und Medizin

Joachim Herrmann, Bavarian State Minister of the Interior, Sport and Integration, visits the Max-Planck-Zentrum für Physik und Medizin in Erlangen to learn about the new era of research culture marked by its opening.

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Physical signals as fate deciders: how mechanical forces extrude cells from tissues

Cell extrusion programmes are a checkpoint mechanism that eliminates unwanted or harmful cells in epithelial tissues. An international researcher team has now demonstrated how physical signals can have an impact on the fate of extruding cells governing their death or survival.

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How bacteria actively use passive physics to make biofilms

Bacterial cells often coalesce into complex heterogeneous communities called biofilms. Within a group, bacteria in the biofilm are extremely robust in resisting various environmental stresses – a crucial feature making biofilm-associated infections extremely difficult to treat with antibiotics. Vasily Zaburdaev, among others, published a work that highlights how biophysical interactions play an important role in bacterial life cycles and infection.

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With Benoit Ladoux, the Max-Planck-Zentrum für Physik und Medizin wins an additional Humbold-Professor and expands the scope of its research

Since May, physicist Professor Benoit Ladoux and his reaserach group 'Tissue mechanobiology' have been investigating the role of mechanical constraints and force transmission in multicellular systems at the Max-Planck-Zentrum für Physik und Medizin (MPZPM). With Ladoux, the MPZPM not only gains a world-leading researcher in the field of biophysics, but now has a fourth Humboldt Professor on its Scientific Board alongside Prof. Franze, Prof. Guck (spokesperson of the MPZPM) and Prof. Sandoghdar.

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New research group at MPZPM studies mucosal immune responses in chronic inflammation and tumor development

The range of research at the Max-Planck-Zentrum für Physik und Medizin (MPZPM) continues to grow: the research group “Mucosal Immunology” brings a new and promising field of medical research to the collaborative research center in Erlangen. Prof. Maximilian Waldner, Medical Clinic 1 of the…

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The Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light is now coming to the cinema: TRACING LIGHT – die Magie des Lichts

The award-winning filmmaker Thomas Riedelsheimer spent two years following scientists and artists who have dedicated themselves to working with light. Prof. Daniele Faccio and his Extreme Light Group at the University of Glasgow, the artist duos Semiconductor and Brunner/Ritz, Dr. Pascal Del'Haye's…

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Bavarian Minister of the Interior Joachim Herrmann visits the Max-Planck-Zentrum für Physik und Medizin

Joachim Herrmann, Bavarian Minister of State for Sport and Integration, recently visited the Max-Planck-Zentrum für Physik und Medizin (MPZPM) in Erlangen to learn about the new era of research culture heralded by its opening. The minister gained insights into the international significance of the…

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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.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. Dr. Jochen Guck

Please contact:
guck-office@mpl.mpg.de
Staudtstraße 2
91058 Erlangen
Email:
Phone: +49 9131 7133-501

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

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