Microbiology in Marburg
A hotspot of Microbiology
The IMPRS-µLife research groups and central facilities are located on the Campus Lahnberge, one of the best hubs of microbiology research worldwide. Within the IMPRS-µLife over 30 research groups from the MPI-TM, SYNMIKRO and the UMR perform cutting-edge research in modern microbiology and educate students in a highly collaborative and multidisciplinary fashion. The collaboration between the three partner institutions affords you to find all the resources on campus that you need for your research. Here collaborations are not the exception - they are the rule!
We have experts for:
Quantitative proteomics (protein identification, relative and absolute proteome quantification, interaction studies and phosphoproteomics)
Functional genomics incl. global gene expression profiling using RNA-seq
Automated design and assembly of DNA and delivery to chassis organisms (DNA foundry)
Fluorescence microscopy (wide-field, TIRF and confocal live-cell imaging)
Advanced fluorescence microscopy (FCS, FRET, FRAP)
Super-resolution microscopy (SIM, STED)
Protein structure determination using X-ray crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy
Macromolecular interaction analyses using surface plasmon resonance technology and bio-layer interferometry
Large-scale fermentation (anaerobic, light and gas-controlled)
Robotics for high-throughput screenings
Access to a joint mechanical workshop shared by MPI and UMR
Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy.
Excellence in Marburg
Marburg is known for its excellent research. In the 2021 the DFG (German Research Foundation) - Förderatlas showed that the University of Marburg is highly successful in acquiring funding. Marburg has also a rich history, with so far 11 Nobel prize winners, 13 Leibniz prize winners (4 of whom in Microbiology), and 8 Heinz-Maier-Leibnitz awardees (4 of whom in Microbiology), associated to this town. Leibniz Prize winner (1986) Rudolf Thauer is the founding director, and Leibniz Prize winner Tobias Erb (2023) is currently a director of the MPI-TM.
A lively environment
The IMPRS Marburg offers various social activities for PhD students to meet and interact:
Welcome Week: A week-long event organized for new PhD students at the beginning of the semester. During this week, new students can meet their peers, get to know the campus Lahnberge and acquire important skills for their doctorate.
Biennial Retreat: A retreat organized by the IMPRS students with a goal to discuss their research, career paths and network.
Monthly Meet-up (Stammtisch): A social event organized by PhD student representatives where students can meet and get to know their peers.
Summer Fest and Christmas Party at the MPI
Summer Fest of the UMR at the near-by Botanical Garden
And much more...
Together we are IMPRS - international and interdisciplinary
The official language of the IMPRS-µLife is English. More than half of our PhD students are internationals who come from more than 20 countries. Moreover, our PhD students have background in different life and natural sciences: biology, biochemistry, chemistry, physics and bioinformatics. Having multidisciplinary teams in microbiology research is crucial for gaining a comprehensive understanding of microorganisms, fostering collaboration and innovation, tackling complex problems, and translating research findings into practical applications. Having diverse teams work on scientific projects enhances the quality and impact of our research.