Facts and figures
Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association
Mission
The Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association aims to transform tomorrow’s medicine through our discoveries of today. At locations in Berlin-Buch, Berlin-Mitte, Heidelberg and Mannheim, our researchers harness interdisciplinary collaboration to decipher the complexities of disease at the systems level – from molecules and cells to organs and the entire organism. Through academic, clinical, and industry partnerships, as well as global networks, we strive to translate biological discoveries into applications that enable the early detection of deviations from health, personalize treatment, and ultimately prevent disease.
Year founded
1992
Namesake
Berlin-born Nobel laureate Max Delbrück (1906–1981), one of the founders of molecular biology
Locations
- Main location: 13125 Berlin-Buch, Robert-Rössle-Straße 10
- Second location: 10115 Berlin-Mitte (MDC-BIMSB), Hannoversche Straße 28
Organizational form
- Corporation under public law of the State of Berlin
- Legally independent member of the Helmholtz Association, Germany’s largest scientific organization
- Articles of association of the Max Delbrück Center, adopted at the meeting of the Supervisory Board on January 26, 2021 (PDF)
- Organization chart
Leadership
- Scientific Director: Prof. Dr. Maike Sander
- interim Administrative Director: Kirstin Bodensiek
Employees
1,179 employees, not including guests
- 249 PhD researchers
Detailed facts on our PhD students and our PhD program - 174 postdoctoral researchers
Detailed facts on our Postdocs
381 guests are also working at the Max Delbrück Center.
(current as of 31.12.2023)
Gender equality
Percentage of women:
- Overall: 59.9%
- Scientific research: 59.7%
- Scientific leadership positions: 37.1%
- Postdocs: 59%
- PhD researchers: 45%
- Administration: 58.7%
(as of 31.12.2025)
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Gender Equality Plan 2021-2027
International diversity
Scientists from 64 countries conduct their research at the Max Delbrück Center.
Percentage of foreign scientists: 53.1%
Research program
In the research program "Systems Medicine and Cardiovascular Diseases" the 87 labs at the Max Delbrück Center and at the ECRC (see below) undertake research across our main areas:
The Max Delbrück Center is also home to 18 technology platforms that develop scientific methods and technologies.
Translation – transfer of research findings into medical practice
The Max Delbrück Center has close partnerships with Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin within:
- the joint Experimental and Clinical Research Center (ECRC) (12 labs)
- the Berliner Institute of Health (BIH)
The Max Delbrück Center also cooperates with other university hospitals through the German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK).
The Max Delbrück Center is a founding member of Berlin Research 50 (association of Berlin's non-university research institutions). Founding coordinator of the Life Sciences Section is Thomas Sommer
Scientific excellence
- 27 scientists at the Max Delbrück Center receive funding from the European Research Council ("ERC grants")
- Ernst Jung Prize winner: 1
- Leibniz Prize winners: 3
- Ana Pombo (2025)
- Nikolaus Rajewsky (2012)
- Carmen Birchmeier (2002)
- EMBO members: 9
- Leopoldina members: 5
- Second place among non-university research institutions in the area of life sciences in the DFG Funding Atlas (2018)
Prizes and awards for scientists of the Max Delbrück Center
Publications
More than 800 scientific papers in 2021
Funding
90% from the German federal government (Federal Ministry of Education and Research);
10% from the State of Berlin
Budget
- €105.5 million from core funding
- €36.6 million from third-party funding/other income
(current as of 2022)