Our Equipment
The IMPRS-CBP provides doctoral researchers with access to state-of-the-art biophysical technologies, world-class microscopy and structural biology facilities, and high-performance computing across three partner institutions. Our integrated environment enables research that spans molecules, organelles, and entire cellular systems.
Cutting-Edge Structural Biology
Our structural biology infrastructure supports high-resolution studies of proteins, membranes, and macromolecular assemblies using complementary approaches:
- Electron cryomicroscopy (cryoEM)
Available at MPIBP and GU, including high-end TEMs for single-particle analysis and tomography, cryo-lamella preparation using cryoFIB-SEM, and complete sample-preparation workflows. - Electron cryotomography (cryoET)
Facilities at MPIBP and GU enable near-native visualization of organelles and membrane-associated complexes in situ. - X-ray crystallography
State-of-the-art instrumentation at GU supports crystallization, diffraction data collection, and structural refinement. - Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)
GU hosts a major NMR center with high-field spectrometers and advanced solution-state and solid-state capabilities, supporting structural, dynamic, and interaction studies. - Native and bottom-up mass spectrometry
Available at GU and MPIBP for quantitative proteomics, protein-complex analysis, structural mass spectrometry and integrative modelling.
Advanced Microscopy & Nanoscopy
IMPRS-CBP students have access to a broad spectrum of imaging technologies for both fixed and live-cell applications (MPIBP, GU, JGU):
- Super-resolution fluorescence microscopy
Including MINFLUX nanoscopy, STED, single-molecule localization microscopy, and live-cell super-resolution imaging. - Confocal, spinning-disk, and two-photon microscopy
Comprehensive support for high-sensitivity imaging across fluorescence channels and time-resolved applications. - Lightsheet microscopy
For fast, low-phototoxicity imaging of cells and multicellular systems. - Widefield, slidescanner, and high-content imaging
For quantitative imaging and automated analysis workflows.
Computational Biophysics & High-Performance Computing
Powerful computing clusters at MPIBP, JGU, and FIAS enable:
- Molecular dynamics and multi-scale simulations
- Machine-learning-based modelling of membrane and cellular processes
- Image processing for cryoEM, tomography, and super-resolution microscopy
- Data-driven modelling of macromolecular assemblies