Facts and figures

Mission

The Max Delbrück Center is a world leading biomedical research center. We strive to deepen our understanding of biological mechanisms and to develop innovative solutions that improve human health. Through our academic, clinical, and industrial partnerships, we aspire to transform our biological discoveries into clinical applications that detect, treat, 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: 60.5%
• Scientific research: 61.4%
• Administration: 58.8%

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:

• Genes, Cells and Cell‑based Medicine
• Molecular Processes and Therapies
• Integrative biomedicine

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

• 25 scientists at the Max Delbrück Center receive funding from the European Research Council ("ERC grants")
• Ernst Jung Prize winner: 1 
  • Gary Lewin
• 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

• including more than 200 publications in journals with an impact factor > 10

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)