The Institute of Molecular Biotechnology (IMB) is a world-leading research institute in the field of molecular biotechnology. It was founded in 1993 by Nobel Laureate Sir John Sulston and his colleagues at the University of Cambridge, and is now part of the Max Planck Society. The IMB has a strong international reputation, with over 80% of its staff being from outside Germany.
The IMB’s research focuses on three main areas: developmental biology, cell and cancer biology, and plant biotechnology. In developmental biology, the IMB investigates how cells differentiate during embryonic development, and how this process can be controlled for regenerative medicine purposes. In cell and cancer biology, researchers at the IMB are working to understand how healthy cells become cancerous, and how to develop new therapies to target cancer cells specifically. In plant biotechnology, the institute is investigating how to engineer crops that are more resistant to pests and diseases, as well as tolerant of environmental stresses such as drought.
The IMB has made many important scientific discoveries since its foundation. These include identifying key genes involved in embryonic development; developing techniques for reprogramming adult cells into stem cells; uncovering new mechanisms that regulate cell division; and discovering novel ways to target cancer cells with drugs. The institute also hosts an annual conference – ‘Molecular Frontiers’ – which brings together leading scientists from around the world to discuss cutting-edge research in molecular biology