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

A bitter aftertaste: How nitrogen gets into the bitter substances of Solanum plants
An enzyme originally derived from basic plant metabolism controls the synthesis of steroidal glycoalkaloids, important defense substances in tomatoes. 
Pit-building venom mixers

Pit-building venom mixers

August 13, 2024
A complex venom system allows antlions to overpower large prey
Hidden partners: Symbiodolus bacteria found in various insect orders
Max Planck researchers describe a new endosymbiont that is widespread in insects and whose ecological role needs to be further investigated

Current News and Announcements

Publications

Kimbadi Lombe, B.; Zhou, T.; Caputi, L.; Ploss, K.; O’Connor, S. E.: Biosynthetic origin of the methoxy group in quinine and related Cinchona alkaloids. bioRxiv: the preprint server for biology (2024)
Colinas, M.; Morweiser, C.; Dittberner, O.; Chioca, B.; Alam, R. M.; Leucke, H.; Nakamura, Y.; Serna Guerrero, D. A.; Heinicke, S.; Kunert, M. et al.; Wurlitzer, J.; Ploß, K.; Hong, B.; Grabe, V.; Lopes, A. A.; O’Connor, S. E.: Independent evolution of ipecac alkaloid biosynthesis. bioRxiv: the preprint server for biology (2024)
Gandhi, A.; Reichelt, M.; Goyal, D.; Vadassery, J.; Oelmüller, R.: Trichoderma harzianum protects the Arabidopsis salt overly sensitive 1 mutant against salt stress. Journal of Plant Growth Regulation (2024)

News

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.
Jonathan Gershenzon, Head of the Department of Biochemistry, has been elected to membership of the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO). This prestigious honor recognizes his outstanding contributions to the life sciences.
Andrea Müller from the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology receives the Beutenberg Campus Award for the best doctoral thesis.

Events and Seminars

Melissa Magerøy

To be announced
Oct 14, 2024 02:00 PM (Local Time Germany)
Hybrid lecture (online via zoom & MPI-CE, A1.009 + A1.011)

Sophie Caron

To be announced
Oct 14, 2024 05:00 PM (Local Time Germany)
online via zoom

Hiroshi Maeda

To be announced
Oct 17, 2024 04:00 PM - 05:00 PM (Local Time Germany)
Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Room: Seminar room A1.009 and A1.011

Michelle Afkhami

to be announced
Nov 4, 2024 03:00 PM (Local Time Germany)
online via zoom
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