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

Florean, M.; Schultz, H.; Wurlitzer, J.; O’Connor, S. E.; Köllner, T. G.: Independent evolution of plant natural products: Formation of benzoxazinoids in Consolida orientalis (Ranunculaceae). Journal of Biological Chemistry (accepted)
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. bioRxiv: the preprint server for biology (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 award recognizes her outstanding research in the chemistry and biochemistry of plant natural products, with particular emphasis on the detailed elucidation of metabolic pathways and the engineering of novel pathways and compounds for biomedical applications.
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.

Events and Seminars

Edward Ruby

Uncovering the role of nutritional rhythms in the squid-vibrio symbiosis
Dec 5, 2024 11:30 AM (Local Time Germany)
Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Room: Seminar room A1.009 and A1.011 + online

Jia Huang

Decoding the molecular arms race: How insect toxicology sheds light on plant-herbivore coevolution
Dec 6, 2024 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM (Local Time Germany)
Online

Rolf Müller

Approaches towards innovative anti-infectives from microbes
Dec 12, 2024 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM (Local Time Germany)
Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Room: Seminar room A1.009 and A1.011 + online

Severin Sasso

The unicellular alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii as a model organism to study fundamental problems in plant biology
Jan 9, 2025 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM (Local Time Germany)
Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Room: Seminar room A1.009 and A1.011 + online

Rocky Putra

Plant metals, metalloids and metabolites: Is there a spot for 'elements' in chemical ecology?
Jan 16, 2025 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM (Local Time Germany)
Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Room: Seminar room A1.009 and A1.011 + online
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