Max_Planck_Institute_for_the_Biology_of_Ageing
The Max Planck Institute (MPI) for Biology of Ageing, founded in 2008, is one of over 80 independent, non-profit-making institutes set up under the umbrella of the Max Planck Society. The overall research aim is to obtain fundamental insights into the aging process and thus to pave the way towards healthier aging in humans. An international research team drawn from almost 40 nations is working to uncover underlying molecular, physiological and evolutionary mechanisms.
Located on the campus of Cologne University Hospital, this MPI forms a substantial part of a regional Life Science Cluster of closely interlinked research organizations focusing on research into ageing and ageing-associated diseases. Regional partners include the MPI for Metabolism Research and the Cluster of Excellence CECAD (both in Cologne) as well as the DZNE and the Max Planck Institute for Neurobiology of Behavior (both in Bonn).
Together with their regional, national and international partners, such as ERIBA, researchers at the MPI for Biology of Ageing are exploring how cells age throughout the course of their life, which genes are involved and to what extent environmental factors play a role. Underlying processes are being studied in so-called model organisms: The genes of the mouse Mus musculus, the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster and the roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans are known and the life expectancy of these organisms is relatively short. This makes them particularly suitable for research into the ageing process. Further model organisms in the form of the African turquoise killifish Nothobranchius furzeri and the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae are in use. The studies on model organisms are in the long term to be linked with comparative studies in humans. The MPI is studying samples from patients in the clinic and conducting studies of long-lived families.
Since the beginning of the research work in 2008 Adam Antebi (USA), Nils-Göran Larsson (Sweden) and Linda Partridge (UK) had been jointly directing the institute. In 2018 Thomas Langer (Germany) was appointed as the fourth director of the institute. The Larsson Department has since resigned from the institute. Anne Schaefer (Germany) was appointed as a Director in 2021. In 2023 Linda Partridge retired.[1]
The foundation stone for the new research premises was laid in 2010 and the building was inaugurated in 2013.
As one of the youngest institutes of the Max Planck Society, the MPI for Biology of Ageing is expanding further and should eventually have a staff of about 350. At least ten research groups are planned as well as a fourth department under the leadership of a further director.