Welcome to the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology
Reproduction: How can the division of labor of cells prevail?
In complex organisms, two basic types of cells are found: on the one hand, reproductive cells, which are responsible only for the reproduction of the living being, and on the other hand, cells specialized for the vegetative functions of the body. This division of cells is irreversible, that is, the vegetative cell type produces only vegetative cells that are no longer involved in the process of reproduction. Why has this division of labor evolved, what are the advantages? This is what scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology in Plön are researching with the help of mathematical models.
Can living organisms influence changes in their genes?
Researchers at the Kiel Evolution Center succeed for the first time in demonstrating that changes in certain proteins involved in packaging of the genetic material have a causal effect on the frequency of mutations.
Gene Drive - Explainer Video (German)
MrWissen2go Mirko Drotschmann explains the methods of Gene Drive. Expert interviews with Chaitanya Gokhale (Research Group Leader Theoretical Models of Eco-Evolutionary Dynamics) and Guy Reeves (Evolutionary Genetics Department).
Change of Leadership at the Max Planck Institute in Plön
On 1 July, Paul Rainey will become the new Managing Director at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology. He succeeds Diethard Tautz, who remains Deputy Managing Director. The change comes as part of the rotation principle in place at the Institute, whereby each of the three directors (Paul Rainey, Diethard Tautz and Arne Traulsen) is appointed in turn as Managing Director for three years each.
Construction starts at the Max-Planck-Institute Plön
Demolition work on the old buildings will start on March 10. Everything is to be completed by the end of 2024, including the refurbishment of the parts of the building that will remain.
COVID19 pandemic explained
Researchers from the department of Evolutionary Theory have collected scientific information and statistics about the COVID19 pandemic and explained it for the public on a special website.