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.

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
Training and international collaborations are key features of our work.

Training and international collaborations are key features of our work.

We believe diversity and inclusion leads to the best science.

We believe diversity and inclusion leads to the best science.

We celebrate our 25th anniversary together with our neighboring institute.

We celebrate our 25th anniversary together with our neighboring institute.

Follow the QR-code to listen to short podcasts about our current research.

Research News

Air pollution impairs successful mating of flies
High levels of ozone destroy the chemical mating signal of the insects and may thus contribute to global insect decline

Symbiotic fungi transform terpenes from spruce resin into attractants for bark beetles
When metabolizing spruce bark, the insect’s fungal partners release volatile compounds that bark beetles recognize through specialized olfactory sensory neurons

The dark cost of being toxic

The dark cost of being toxic

January 18, 2023
Sequestration of plant toxins by monarch butterflies leads to reduced warning signal conspicuousness

Current News and Announcements

Publications

You, Y.; Ray, R.; Halitschke, R.; Baldwin, G.; Baldwin, I. T.: AMF-indicative blumenol-C-glucosides predict lipid accumulations and fitness in plants grown without competitors. New Phytologist (accepted)
Dávila, C.; Fiorenza, J. E.; Gershenzon, J.; Reichelt, M.; Zavala, J. A.; Fernández, P. C.: Sawfly egg deposition extends the insect life cycle and alters hormone and volatile emission profiles. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution 11, 1084063 (2023)
Lehmanski, L. M. A.; Kandasamy, D.; Andersson, M. N.; Netherer, S.; Alves, E. G.; Huang, J.; Hartmann, H.: Addressing a century old hypothesis – do pioneer beetles of Ips typographus use volatile cues to find suitable host trees? New Phytologist (accepted)

News

The Jena chemist is awarded the most prestigious German research prize for her fundamental discoveries on plant natural product biosynthesis.
Over 250 scientists from all over the world will present and discuss their latest research results in smell and taste research.
In the category "doctoral researchers" Nomthi Kanyile received the prize for the best presentation and Ana Simão Pinto de Carvalho the prize for the best poster.

Events and Seminars

IMPRS Symposium

Mar 21, 2023 - Mar 22, 2023
Dornburg Castle

Gregor Bucher

A beetle's view on brain evolution: Cellular and genetic mechanisms of brain diversification
Mar 23, 2023 01:00 PM (Local Time Germany)
Hybrid lecture (online via zoom & MPI-CE, A1.009 + A1.011)

Jürgen Krieger

Targeting the role of “Sensory Neuron Membrane Proteins” in moth and locust olfaction
Mar 30, 2023 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM (Local Time Germany)
Hybrid lecture (online via zoom & MPI-CE, A1.009 + A1.011)

Erik Frank

to be announced
Apr 13, 2023 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM (Local Time Germany)
Hybrid lecture (online via zoom & MPI-CE, A1.009 + A1.011)

Monica Pupo

to be announced
Apr 20, 2023 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM (Local Time Germany)
Hybrid lecture (online via zoom & MPI-CE, A1.009 + A1.011)
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