Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence

Picture of the month

A chick of a Northern Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus) in a moorland area north of Lake Dümmer in northern Germany. The Department Ornithology is studying a breeding population of lapwings there to find out more about the mating and dispersal behavior of this common Palearctic shorebird.

Department Ornithology
© Bashar Jarayseh

News

A shell-dwelling cichlid behind a snail shell

Underwater architects: How do shell-dwelling cichlids build the perfect nest?

April 10, 2026

The individual steps of nest-building are instinctive, but only through practice do the fish become true masters.

Can birds hear with their feathers?

March 27, 2026

Susanne Hoffmann awarded prestigious Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP) grant to find out.

Two zebra finches (male on the right, female on the left) are sitting next to each other on a branch.

A familiar voice shapes how zebra finches hear and respond

March 11, 2026

Neurons that control when zebra finches call back fire more strongly when the caller is familiar.

Further News

Campus Seminars

Institute Seminars

April 2026

Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat	Sun
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6	7	8	9	10	11	12
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20	21	22	23	24	25	26
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Neural mechanisms of rhythmic motor control in Drosophila

Apr 7, 2026 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM (Local Time Germany)

Uncovering the role of inhibition at cellular resolution in vivo

Apr 14, 2026 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM (Local Time Germany)

Docile grazer or ferocious predator – how network structure and neuromodulation shape adaptive behavior

Apr 21, 2026 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM (Local Time Germany)

Taste by touch in octopus

Apr 22, 2026 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM (Local Time Germany)

Patterns of protein-coding and regulatory evolution associated with convergent phenotypes in birds

Apr 28, 2026 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM (Local Time Germany)

Drawn, rough outline of a building with two implied trees and the lettering "Max Planck Campus Martinsried"

Website Campus Development

Information regarding the development of the Max Planck Campus in Martinsried and associated construction projects.

Behind the scenes

Vocational training: Precision Mechanics

Video November 11, 2024

Find out how your passion for craftsmanship can help advance basic research.

Vocational training: Biology Lab Technicians

Video October 30, 2024

Biology Lab Technicians are essential drivers of research progress. We show you why.

Vocational training: Office Management

Video May 21, 2024

Vocational trainees Benny & Christoph show you why administration is anything but boring.

Imaging Facility

Video March 10, 2024

Get to know our Imaging Facility, essential driving force behind our research.

Social behavior of Cichlids

Video December 17, 2023

Dive into the investigation of the complex social behaviors of Cichlids.

Zebrafish behavior

Video December 10, 2023

Watch Joe at his multi-faceted work to investigate the integration of sensory input.

Fieldwork in Mexico

Video November 12, 2023

Join Luke Eberhart-Hertel on an exciting fieldtrip to Mexico, investigating snowy plovers.

Decoding neurodevelopment

Video October 29, 2023

Unravel the mysteries of brain development with Ann and Yana, studying interneurons.

Mitochondria research

Video October 22, 2023

Spend a day in the lab with PhD students Isabel & Tabitha, investigating mitochondria.

Where’s the mRNA?

Video October 08, 2023

Come trace the mRNA with Juliana: Watch her lab routine researching hormones in birds.

Fieldwork in Madagascar

Video September 24, 2023

Join an exciting trip to Madagascar and find out more about plover research.

Motion vision in fruit flies

Video September 18, 2023

Inspire your vision with insights into motion vision research.

Fieldwork in Alaska

Video August 20, 2023

Follow Bart Kempenaers and his team into the vastness of Alaska.

Picture of the month

News

Campus Seminars

Institute Seminars

Social Media

Behind the scenes