Welcome at the Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics

The Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics in Freiburg is an interdisciplinary research institution that conducts basic research in two key areas of modern biology.
Immunobiology is concerned with the ways multicellular organisms defend themselves against pathogens. Epigenetics is the study of inheritable traits that are not caused by changes in the underlying DNA sequence.
Our current labs.
World-class expertise.
Institute overview
Contact us.

News

Davor Solter named 2024 Citation Laureate
Davor Solter, MPI-IE Director Emeritus, has been named a Citation Laureate in Clarivate’s annual list of “Researchers of Nobel Class”
Discovery of key protein that helps cells maintain their identity
The protein Mrc1 is essential for the accurate transfer of chemical marks on histones during cell division
Allergy Cells’ Hidden Secret
How mast cells trap and use living neutrophils during allergic reactions
Asifa Akhtar honoured with FEBS | EMBO Women in Science 2025 Award
FEBS and EMBL recognize Asifa Akhtar for outstanding achievements in life sciences
On the way to the perfect diet for a healthy ageing of stem cells
Research to understand epigenetics’ role in evolution and development
With “OrgaPlexing” Max Planck researchers reveal how immune cells organize their intracellular architecture to control inflammatory processes
New Max Planck research group wants to understand chromatin dynamics across the cell cycle

Seminars & Events

Symposium: TriRhena in Gene Regulation Club
15 October 2024 at the FMI in Basel (Switzerland)
2024 Max Planck Epigenetics Meeting
4 - 6 December 2024 – Program published

Upcoming Seminars

Max Planck Seminar: Gad Asher – The cross talk between circadian clocks and oxygen biology

Nov 6, 2024 01:00 PM - 02:00 PM (Local Time Germany)
MPI-IE, Room: Main Lecture Hall

7th Max Planck Epigenetics Meeting

Dec 4, 2024 - Dec 6, 2024
MPI of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Freiburg, Germany

Career

Excellent PhD training
We train the next generation of research scientists. Learn more about our PhD program – the International Max Planck Research School for Immunobiology, Epigenetics, and Metabolism (IMPRS-IEM)
Welcome Service
We welcome all new arrivals, assists in the onboarding procedure, help you to find a new place and get acquainted with your new colleagues. Learn more about our services.

Job offers

April 15, 2023

Multimedia

Watch: Can we hack our genes?

Watch: Can we hack our genes?

November 05, 2023
Epigenetics studies how certain parts of our genome can be switched on or off. Can epigenetics help us to become more musical, fitter, smarter, more beautiful? – Epigenetics TV documentary with Thomas Jenuwein on ARTE
Swarms & swarming immune cells
Podcast special by detektor.fm on swarms and swarm intelligence, including an interview with Max Planck scientist Tim Lämmermann on immune cell swarms and pathogen hunting in a collective.
How the immune system learns to defend itself
Thomas Boehm talks to detektor.fm editor Dominik Lenze about vaccinations. The Max Planck Director explains how an immune reaction actually takes place during vaccination.
Start-stop system of hunting immune cells
Max Planck researchers reveal how immune cells coordinate their swarming behavior to eliminate pathogens effectively together
Discussing X Chromosome Dosage Compensation
Asifa Akhtar talks about how the male-specific lethal (MSL) complex, and the histone acetyltransferase MOF in particular, contributes to the regulation of the dosage compensation process.
Virtual MPI-IE Escape Room
Do you enjoy puzzles and tricky quizzes? Would you like to get to know the research and the institute? Then our virtual Escape Room is the right challenge for you!
The Department of Biological Physics

The Department of Biological Physics

Video February 06, 2024
The Cissé Department employs physical techniques to visualize biological interactions at the single-molecule level within living cells, uncovering phenomena like protein clustering & biophysical mechanisms in vivo.
Is it possible to inherit trauma – with Nicola Iovino
Can a trauma suffered by our ancestors affect our own lives? A ZDF documentary explores this question and meets with Max Planck researcher Nicola Iovino...
Sexual parasitism & immune system of deep-sea fish - Thomas Boehm
BBC Earth interview with Thomas Boehm on the anglerfish (AmazeMe, facebook)
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