Max Planck Institute for Brain Research

The Institute was originally founded in 1914 as the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute for Brain Research in Berlin-Buch, which in turn had been preceded by the Neurological Central Station established in 1898 by Oskar Vogt. In 1948 the Institute was incorporated by the Max Planck Society. Research at the Institute addresses the principles of the organization of the mammalian central nervous system (CNS) at many different levels of analysis, ranging from molecular to behavioural studies. Anatomical, biochemical and physiological methods are applied to identify general principles of organization which are shared by the brains of animals and humans.

The different research departments of the Institute can be seen in a hierarchy of rising complexity. The Neurochemical Department is engaged in basic questions of neuronal connectivity and examines the molecular processes on individual synapses. In the Neuroanatomical Department, a simple network of neurons (the retina) is explored in order to understand its structure, function and complexity. Finally, the Neurophysiological Department is concerned with the question of how a highly complex structure like the cerebral cortex is organized and accomplishes cognitive functions.

A scientific environment that promotes excellence in education and research

The physical integration of the Edinger Institute for Neuropathology into the Institute building underlines the excellent relations between the MPIH and the University of Frankfurt as well as other neighboring research institutions. The Institute is located within the campus of the Medical Faculty of the University in Frankfurt-Niederrad, and two of the Department heads as well as several senior researchers participate in the teaching of medical and science students. One of the department heads has an appointment as Professor within the Faculty of Biology at the University of Mainz, and some staff scientists contribute to courses for biology students at the Technical University of Darmstadt. These activities document the intimate connections that exist with the different regional academic institutions.

The links to the University of Frankfurt provide excellent training opportunities for PhD students and post-docs. Currently, 8 diploma students, 34 PhD students and 30 post-docs from many European and non-European countries are working at the MPIH. They are funded by the Max Planck Society, the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) and individual fellowships from foundations or other bodies. A Graduate Course (Graduiertenkolleg "Neuronal Plasticity: Molecules, Structures, Functions"), supported by the DFG is run as a joint effort by both the MPIH and the University, with a lecture course being held at the Institute and practical excercises being carried out at the different participating University and Max Planck Laboratories. In addition, an International Max Planck Research School on "Structures and Functions of Biological Membranes", established as a joint effort by the neighboring Max Planck Institute for Biophysics, the University and two Departments within our Institute, offers fellowships and intensive training to foreign (and a few German) PhD students. Post-docs and senior researchers in addition have the opportunity to participate in the activities of a DFG Sonderforschungsbereich "Molecular Bases of Neuronal Organization", which comprises 13 neuroscience projects run at the University and the MPIH. A second Sonderforschungsbereich on the Proteomics of Membrane Proteins is currently in preparation. In 2001, a tandem research group (Linden) with the Department of Psychiatry of the University was established with the scope of applying the tools of cognitive neuroscience to schizophrenia research. In addition, numerous international collaborations exist with many institutions and laboratories worldwide.

Areas of research in key words: Synaptic mechanisms, vesicle-associated proteins, structure of transmitter receptors, function of transmitter receptors, pharmacology of transmitter receptors, ion channels, axonal pathfinding, synaptogenesis, neuron differentiation, Alzheimer´s disease, retina, neurotransmitters in the retina, transmitter receptors in the retina, vision in darkness, rod signal, visual system, colour vision, comparative anatomy of the retina, agrin and synapse development, visual cortex, brain development, neuronal plasticity, learning and memory, visual perception, neuronal networks, development of cognitive functions.

Max Planck Institute for Brain Research
Deutschordenstraße 46
60528 Frankfurt am Main
Tel: +49 (0)69 96769 - 0
Fax: +49 (0)69 96769 - 433

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Further Information: www.mpih-frankfurt.mpg.de/