Biomedical research can have a very aesthetically pleasing appearance. That can be seen in the photos taken by many scientists on a daily basis. In a yearly contest, the Best Scientific Images are selected from among the images submitted by members of staff at the Buch campus.
Archives for June 2016
Must Read: Nikolaus Rajewsky recommends a paper on mRNA localization
Nikolaus Rajewsky recommended a number of papers during his recent lecture series on RNA. This one from the Burge lab at MIT also involves neurons. Have you recently read an important paper from your field that you’d like to recommend to your colleagues?
Outside of academia – still on the forefront of curiosity-driven thinking
MDC Alumna Sonya Dumanis came to one of the MDC’s Career Talks to discuss and reflect on her experiences at the MDC, in and outside research.
Max Delbrück Center once again awarded family-friendly status
On June 23, 2016, the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC) was awarded the Work & Family Audit certificate for the third time for its family-friendly policies.
Insulin-sensitive fat leads to obesity
SORLA is a protein that influences metabolism in adipose tissue. If there is too much of the molecule, fat cells become overly sensitive to insulin and break down less fat. This new link between SORLA and increases in body weight was discovered by MDC researchers. SORLA was previously known for its role in defending the brain against Alzheimer’s disease.
Insulin-sensitive fat leads to obesity
SORLA is a protein that influences the balance of metabolic processes in adipose tissue, a particular form of fat. Too much of it makes fat cells overly sensitive to insulin, which leads them to break down less fat. SORLA was previously known for its protective role in Alzheimer’s disease.
Sugar and spice and all things mice
On June 11, 2016, the MDC held a Long Night of the Sciences (Lange Nacht der Wissenschaften). Science fans of all ages took the opportunity to go on guided tours of the MDC laboratories, trying out fun activities like sampling “molecule meringues.”
ARCHES award for MDC researcher: High-resolution maps of genetic modifications
This year’s ARCHES prize goes to systems biologist Jan Philipp Junker of the MDC and Erez Levanon of Bar-Ilan University in Israel. The award, conferred on June 14, 2016, will support a research alliance that will allow certain changes in gene transcripts to be presented in high spatial resolution for the very first time.
Ulrike Stein elected to Metastasis Research Society Board
Group leader Prof. Ulrike Stein of the ECRC has been elected to the Board of the Metastasis Research Society. She will begin her term in autumn of 2016.
Wiretapping the senses
James Poulet’s group at the MDC has now watched the flow of information between the different layers of the cortex of the brain for the first time in awake, active mice. Their work provides new insights into links between sensory stimuli and behavior.