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

Photo: Anna Schroll

Training and international collaborations are key features of our work.

We believe diversity and inclusion leads to the best science.

Jonathan Gershenzon

Bill Hansson  

Sarah O'Connor

Martin Kaltenpoth

Molecular Ecology

Yuko Ulrich

Axel Mithöfer

Huw Groucutt

Hannah Rowland

Silke Sachse

David Heckel

Axel Mithöfer

Georg Pohnert

Research News

Scientists decode chemical defense against plant sap-sucking leafhoppers

February 03, 2022
Combining field research with molecular biology and chemical analyses puts researchers on the trail of a new defense mechanism in tobacco plants
more

Unexpected benefits from food competitors

January 10, 2022
When laying their eggs, female hawkmoths rather share a host plant with competitors in order to escape from parasitic wasps.
more

Gut enzyme in cockchafer larvae activates dandelion defense mechanism

October 25, 2021
Removing the sugar component from a toxin in dandelion roots increases larval growth while simultaneously deterring the larvae from feeding.
more

Current News and Announcements

Publications

Fernández-Milmanda, G. L.: Smells like trouble: β-ocimene primes plant defenses through chromatin remodeling. Plant Physiology (accepted)
MPG.PuRe
DOI
pre-print
Rick, T. C.; Alsharekh, A. M.; Braje, T. J.; Crowther, A.; Erlandson, J. M.; Fuller, D. Q.; Gill, K. M.; Groucutt, H. S.; Guagnin, M.; Helm, R. et al.; Hofman, C. A.; Horton, M.; Kay, A.; Korisettar, R.; Radimilahy, C.; Reeder-Myers, L.; Shipton, C.; Wright, H. T.; Petraglia, M.; Boivin, N.: Coring, profiling, and trenching: Archaeological field strategies for investigating the Pleistocene-Holocene-Anthropocene continuum. Quaternary International (2022)
MPG.PuRe
DOI
post-print
supplementary-material
Wiesel, E.; Kaltofen, S.; Hansson, B. S.; Wicher, D.: Homeostasis of mitochondrial Ca2+ stores is critical for signal amplification in Drosophila melanogaster olfactory sensory neurons. Insects 13 (3), 270 (2022)
MPG.PuRe
DOI
publisher-version

News

Sarah O'Connor appointed honorary professor at Friedrich Schiller University

February 28, 2022

news
On February 14, 2022, University President Prof. Dr. Walter Rosenthal appointed Sarah O'Connor, Director of the Department of Natural Product Biosynthesis, as an honorary member of the Faculty of Chemical and Earth Sciences at Friedrich Schiller University Jena.
more

Bill Hansson elected foreign member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences

December 07, 2021

news
With the award of membership, CAS recognizes his outstanding research achievements and his commitment to the expansion of scientific cooperation between the Max Planck Society and CAS in China.
more

Jonathan Gershenzon new member of the Leopoldina

October 19, 2021

news
The biochemist and director at the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology in Jena has been elected member of the German National Academy of Sciences.
more

Events and Seminars

PhD Workshop of the Plant Natural Products Section of the German Botanical Society

Mar 29, 2022 13:00 - 19:00
Online

IMPRS Symposium

Apr 6, 2022 - Apr 7, 2022

Forsche-Schüler-Tag 2022

Apr 28, 2022 09:00 - 13:00
MPI-CE

Ryohei Thomas Nakano

Impact of plant-microbiota interactions on root growth and plant immunity
Apr 28, 2022 11:30 - 12:30
Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Room: Seminar room A1.009 and A1.011

Jens Pahnke

Der lange Atem der Botanik – Ernst Haeckels Weg in die Wissenschaft
May 19, 2022 11:30 - 12:30
Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Room: Seminar room A1.009 and A1.011
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