Max-Planck-Institut für Biologie des Alterns

Founded in 2008, the Max Planck Institute (MPI) for Biology of Ageing is one of over 80 independent, non-profit institutes under the umbrella of the Max Planck Society. The overarching research goal is to gain fundamental insights into the ageing process and thus pave the way for people to age more healthily. An international team of researchers from almost 30 nations is working to uncover the underlying molecular, physiological and evolutionary mechanisms. Together with regional, national and international partners, the scientists at the MPI for Biology of Ageing are investigating how cells age in the course of their lives, which genes are involved and what role environmental factors play. Fundamental processes are researched using so-called model organisms: the genes of the mouse (Mus musculus), the fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster) and the threadworm (Caenorhabditis elegans) are known, and the life expectancy of these organisms is relatively short. They are therefore particularly suitable for research into the ageing process. A short-lived fish species will be added as a further model organism in 2013. The founding director of the MPI for Biology of Ageing is the British scientist Linda Partridge. She has headed the institute together with Nils-Göran Larsson (Sweden) and Adam Antebi (USA) since the start of research work in 2008. The MPI for Biology of Ageing will eventually grow to around 350 employees. At least eight junior research groups and a fourth department headed by a further director are planned.