Welcome to the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology

Welcome to the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology

We investigate how organisms interact with chemical signals.
We do research in the lab to better understand interactions at a molecular level.

We do research in the lab to better understand interactions at a molecular level.

Photo: Anna Schroll
We do research in the glasshouse and in the field to better understand interactions and signals in their natural environment.

We do research in the glasshouse and in the field to better understand interactions and signals in their natural environment.

Photo: Anna Schroll
We support the Initiative “Weltoffenes Thüringen”.

We support the Initiative “Weltoffenes Thüringen”.

We are committed to ensuring that people from different backgrounds live and work together in a respectful manner.
Training and international collaborations are key features of our work.

Training and international collaborations are key features of our work.

Photo: Anna Schroll
We believe diversity and inclusion leads to the best science.

We believe diversity and inclusion leads to the best science.

Photo: Jürgen Scheere

Research News

Key protein for the biosynthesis of defense steroids in solanaceous plants discovered
Max Planck researchers identify the crucial protein for controlling the biosynthesis of steroidal glycoalkaloids and saponins in plants of the genus Solanum and for the first time demonstrate the ecological role of steroidal saponins in insect defense
An enzyme originally derived from basic plant metabolism controls the synthesis of steroidal glycoalkaloids, important defense substances in tomatoes.
An enzyme originally derived from basic plant metabolism controls the synthesis of steroidal glycoalkaloids, important defense substances in tomatoes. 
 
Pit-building venom mixers
A complex venom system allows antlions to overpower large prey

Current News and Announcements

Publications

Li, C.; Colinas, M.; Wood, J. C.; Vaillancourt, B.; Hamilton, J. P.; Jones, S. L.; Caputi, L.; O’Connor, S. E.; Buell, C. R.: Cell-type-aware regulatory landscapes governing monoterpene indole alkaloid biosynthesis in the medicinal plant Catharanthus roseus. New Phytologist (2024)
Kamileen, M. O.; Hong, B.; Gase, K.; Kunert, M.; Caputi, L.; Lichman, B. R.; O’Connor, S. E.: Divergent biosynthesis of monoterpene indole alkaloids from geissoschizine. (2024)
Åslund, M. S.; Reichelt, M.; Zhang, K.; Castaño, C.; Stenlid, J.; Gershenzon, J.; Elfstrand, M.: Scots pines with tolerance to Melampsora pinitorqua and Diplodia sapinea show distinct metabolic profiles. Plant, Cell and Environment (2024)

News

The medal recognizes his many years of world-leading scientific work in insect ecology.
The doctoral researcher from the Department of Insect Symbiosis gave an excellent talk about the temporal and spatial dynamics of symbiont lineages in a grain pest beetle.
At the 39th Annual Meeting of the International Society of Chemical Ecology (ISCE), currently taking place in Prague, Jonathan Gershenzon, Managing Director of our Institute and Head of the Department of Biochemistry, was awarded the Society's Silver Medal.

Events and Seminars

Michelle Afkhami

Microbiomes in the Anthropocene: How global change is shaping microbial community dynamics and plant-microbial interactions
Nov 4, 2024 03:00 PM (Local Time Germany)
online via zoom

Hassan Salem

Fidelity in symbiosis
Nov 7, 2024 11:30 AM (Local Time Germany)
Hybrid lecture (online via zoom & MPI-CE, A1.009 + A1.011)

Scientific Advisory Board visit

Nov 12, 2024 - Nov 14, 2024

Lange Nacht der Wissenschaften

Nov 22, 2024 06:00 PM (Local Time Germany) - Nov 23, 2024 12:00 AM
Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology

Edward Ruby

to be announced
Dec 5, 2024 11:30 AM (Local Time Germany)
Go to Editor View