Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing

WORLD LEADER AND REGIONAL PARTNER

Founded in 2008, the Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing is one of Europe's first scientific facilities focused on ageing and holds a place at the forefront of basic biomedical science.

Making fundamental discoveries

Research at the Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing is dedicated to deciphering the mystery of growing old: Why do organisms age at all? How can we influence our ageing and lifespan? And how can we ensure that with increasing age, our bodies remain vital and healthy?

As one of more than 80 independent non-profit research institutions under the umbrella of the Max Planck Society, the overall goal of our institute is thus to understand the natural ageing process and to discover how to intervene in it to ameliorate age-related diseases.

A brief history of the institute...

With three international top researchers as directors, the institute is positioned to become a world leader in ageing research. We also have strong regional, national and international partnerships to enhance innovation and output.

• The actual "birthday" of our institute is June 28th, 2007, when the Max Planck Society decided that the new Institute for Biology of Ageing would be established in Cologne and thus become a driving motor within the developing life science cluster in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW).
• Three internationally leading scientists in ageing research were won as the first directors: Linda Partridge, Adam Antebi and Nils-Göran Larsson.
• An architecture competition yielded the ideal design for our future building. The administration has moved to the new premises on March 18 th 2013. Soon, the research departments will also be able to move into their state-of-the-art laboratories.
• Ultimately, the institute will host about 350 employees (scientists, administrative and technical staff) and will have four departments and up to ten research groups.

... and its new building

• The building was designed by the award-winning architectural firm Hammes-Krause, based in Stuttgart.
• The unique triangular shape of the inner atrium and transparent character of the building are designed to interconnect the different labs and to bring a shared and cooperative spirit to the undertaking of science.
• Another unique feature of the building is its use of public space to welcome people from outside the institute, facilitate open dialogue and exchange of ideas among the scientific community as well as the public: The institute will house an auditorium, seven seminar rooms, a cafeteria, a lounge and an open foyer for public functions.