Welcome to the website of the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology in Plön. We wish you a healthy and happy New Year.
Our internationally oriented institute is dedicated to the study of the principles, mechanisms and consequences of evolutionary change. The Institute comprises the Departments of Theoretical Biology and Microbial Population Biology, as well as several independent research groups. Currently, around 180 researchers and staff members from more than 30 nations work together at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology in Plön on innovative scientific questions. You can find out more about our work in the “Research” section.
PNAS Commentary Highlights Significance of Institute Research on Jumbo Phage–Mediated Gene Transfer
When the Wrong People Save: Why Climate Protection Breaks Down Due to a Lack of Fairness
A tiny mouse hints at why some mammal mothers may benefit from choosing more than one father.
When Evolution Breaks the Rules: A “Hulk” Wall Lizard Is Erasing Colour Morphs That Lasted Millions of Years
Why not all animals are equally innovative
Ten new reference genomes for wall lizards published
Kiel Life Science honours Dr Nikhil Sharma with Postdoc Award
Decoding the sources of human facial shape variability and craniofacial syndromes
“Highly Cited Researcher 2025”: Recognition for Prof. John Baines – and other leading scientists in Kiel and Lübeck
Dr Christin Nyhoegen was awarded the 2025 KlarText Prize for Science Communication in Heidelberg.
Bacteria Borrow Viruses to Spread Their Own Defences
The Sex of the Body: Why Our Organs Cannot Simply Be Classified as Male or Female
Between Cooperation and Convergence: Humans and AI in Evolutionary Transition
Review: International Workshop on Cell Plasticity in Cancer Evolution
Science in Dialogue: International Workshop on “Evolutionary Rescue” at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology
Coexistence by Moonlight: How Midges Divide Time and Space and how lunar rhythms combined with the tides can help separate midge strains and set the stage for new species to evolve.
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