Max Planck Institute for Biology Tübingen •

Zebrafish: Tiny windows into the wonders of life

These tiny fish, with their transparent bodies and fascinating stripes, are helping scientists unlock the secrets of brain function and fight cancer. The zebrafish, small striped fish measuring just four to five centimetres, has garnered global scientific acclaim. This recognition stems largely from their unique properties, which were initially highlighted by Nobel Laureate Christiane Nüsslein-Volhard in her groundbreaking work on pattern formation, growth, and cell migration during vertebrat...
Max Planck Institute for Biology Tübingen •

Revolutionising cancer therapy with protein design

A new protein antagonist design strategy shows promise against leukaemia by targeting important receptors to stop the proliferation of cancer cells.  A new family of protein-based antagonists has been created by researchers that efficiently block the granulocyte-colony stimulating factor receptor (G-CSFR), which is essential for the development of leukaemia and other inflammatory illnesses. This groundbreaking work paves the way for targeted therapies that could revolutionise treatment options...
Max Planck Institute for Biology Tübingen •

Interview with our guest Postdoctoral Researcher Dr. Mariam Coulibaly from Burkina Faso

Dr. Mariam Coulibaly's inspiring career trajectory in agricultural research on neglected crops.  Mariam Coulibaly has been a guest scientist at the Max Planck Institute for Biology Tübingen, in the Department of Molecular Biology, for 3 months. She received funding from The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) and the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft funding (TWAS-DFG) for scientific visits by researchers from sub-Saharan Africa. We discussed her enthusiasm for promoting neglected crops, such as Ke...
Friedrich Miescher Laboratory of the Max Planck Society •

Fruit flies in research: An SWR Wissen interview with Luisa Pallares

How Drosophila is revolutionising our understanding of genetics and disease In an SWR Wissen interview with Luisa Pallares from the riedrich Miescher Laboratory of the Max Planck Society in Tübingen, we learn why fruit flies are indispensable as model organisms in research. The small insects play a crucial role in genetics, evolution and research into diseases such as diabetes and Alzheimer's. Luisa Pallares shares her passion for these fascinating creatures and explains the latest development...

Algae growth follows the hourglass model

The mid-embryonic developmental stages are strikingly similar in animals, plants and algae Recent observations in brown algae from researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Biology Tübingen and the University of Dundee reveal the same hourglass pattern during embryogenesis as animals and plants. The ‘hourglass model’ of development in multicellular organisms suggests that embryos of the same phylum display differences morphologically and molecularly at the earliest and latest stages but rese...

Harnessing Mutations: A Breakthrough in Fruit Fly Genetics

A game-changing technique, TF-High-Evolutionary (TF-HighEvo), allows large-scale assessment of de-novo mutations in multicellular organisms Developed in collaboration with researchers from the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) and the Friedrich Miescher Laboratory of the Max Planck Society and published in Molecular Biology and Evolution, this technique provides fresh insights into the evolutionary dynamics of gene regulatory networks and their role in shaping life’s diversity....
Phys.org •

Why do females switch to asexual reproduction?

"Amazon" algae shed light on what happens to populations when females switch to asexual reproduction. Researchers at Max Planck Institute for Biology Tübingen and Kobe University discovered populations of female brown algae that reproduce from unfertilized gametes and thrive without males. In a study published in Nature Ecology & Evolution, they used brown algae to shed light on the phenotypic and genetic consequences of the shift from sexual to asexual reproduction. The researchers found several populations of brown algae in the sea on the co...
Max Planck Institute for Biology Tübingen •

Cannibalism in Nematodes

Developmental plasticity plays a crucial role in the predatory development of Allodiplogaster sudhausi, according to experimental genetics. Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Biology have produced intriguing evidence of how environmental factors and genetic adaptation can lead to evolution of novel and aggressive traits and behaviours in nematodes. The discovery of genome duplication and a new cannibalistic morph in Allodiplogaster sudhausi raises questions about how these genetic cha...
Phys.org •

Researchers discover Paleocene origin of leaf beetles in Panama

Brightly colored beetles that feed on a wide range of plants possess robust metabolic capabilities, thanks to bacteria residing in specialized organs in their digestive tract. The bacterium Stammera provides essential enzymes enabling Cassidinae beetles to digest plant cell wall components efficiently. Researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Biology in Tübingen discovered the ancient origin of this specialized relationship. They found symbiotic leaf beetles exhibit greater species diversi
idw - Informationsdienst Wissenschaft e.V. Nachric •

Bacterial pathogens share genes to outsmart treatments and adapt to new environments

Bacterial pathogens share genes to outsmart treatments and adapt to new environments A new study published in PNAS sheds light on how bacterial plant pathogens, like Pseudomonas syringae, rapidly evolve resistance to antibiotics and adapt to changing environments. This is particularly concerning as copper-based antimicrobials are commonly used in agriculture to control these very pathogens. The study reveals a previously unknown mechanism by which these bacteria gain new abilities due to mobile
The Playa Times •

Editorial: Of Corpse You Will Have A Good Time

From the cult-ish to the traditional, the end of October and the start of November is a festive treat for locals and tourists. Here in the Riviera Maya, the Mexican celebration of the Dead of the Dead has joined up with Halloween for a three-day death fest. Halloween has become an important social event for the region, and The "Poltergeist" Playa Times is looking forward to the spooky season of nightcrawlers made up of the little devils and their Addams families.
The Playa Times •

TPT Meets Svetlana Aleksandroff, Author of Plants of the Mayan World

Already in its second edition, Plants of the Mayan World, is an essential reference guide to plant botany of the Yucatan peninsula and beyond. We talked to the author to find out more behind the making of her book Originally from Moscow, and after having lived in Vermont, Svetlana Aleksandroff moved to Mexico to escape the cold. Mexico reminded her of Russia, with its unique culture, cuisine, people and nature. Her interest in ethnobotany inspired her to write a book; it became an  I expression
The Playa Times •

Editorial: An Unforgettable Mexican Winter

There is no denying that the Riviera Maya truly comes alive in winter. Alfresco festivals transform streets with live music, film, art and entertainment; beaches buzz with sun seekers, kite surfers and paddle boarders; divers disappear into the depths of the oceans seeking out Nemo; cafes, taco stands, restaurants and bars welcome foodies early and stay open late; and the musicians from the Riviera Maya Jazz Festival and dancers for the FIDanza step into the spotlight. In this issue of
The Playa Times •

Editorial - Happy Birthday to The Playa Times!

It has been two years since we first distributed the newspaper out into the streets of the Mexican Caribbean, and we couldn’t have done it without you. The first time the idea of The Playa Times was pitched, we believed there was a need for a publication that informed, engaged and entertained English speakers and readers as told from the perspective of those who live here. Our target audience is primarily the millions of visitors from an internationally diverse background who arrive here annua
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