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Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence

Photo of the institute entrance in Martinsried, five persons walking towards it. Photo of the institute entrance in Seewiesen.

Welcome to the MPI for Biological Intelligence!

In January 2022, the Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence emerged from the MPI for Ornithology (MPIO), located in Seewiesen and the MPI of Neurobiology (MPIN) in Martinsried. The final, legal foundation of the institute with the two locations happened on January 1, 2023.

Together, we are dedicated to the investigation of biological intelligence – the evolved ability of animals to cope with a constantly changing environment and to find ever new solutions to life's challenges.

News

Illustration of a pair of twins. In front of each twin is a circle with a drawing of bacteria, a representation of a brain, and a mouse. The person on the right looks happy, the bacteria are bluish, and the mouse is running with its eyes open. The person on the left looks unhappy, the bacteria are more pink in color. There are pink spots in the brain, and the mouse is lying down with its eyes closed.

Multiple sclerosis: Triggers in the gut flora

May 07, 2025

Study of twins detects bacteria in the small intestine that play a role in the development of MS

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A brown and white bird with blue plumage on its head is standing on a table with plates of fruit on it.

Colourful city birds

April 07, 2025

Bird species that do well in urban areas are more colourful and less brown

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Drawing of a black-grey bird. In the background, three different brains are shown: a brain during the day when awake; a brain in the first six hours of the night (both brain halves are asleep, shown by the letters "Z"); a brain in the last six hours of the night (one brain half contains fewer and smaller "Z").

Too tired to stay alert? A difficult trade-off between sleep and vigilance

March 31, 2025

Sleep-deprived European jackdaws trade vigilance for deep sleep – a strategy that could carry risks in the wild.

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Further News

Campus Seminars

Institute Seminars

June 2025

Phenotypic Bias in Human Neuroscience Methods: Creating an Equitable Research Field

from Jun 3, 2025 11:00 AM to Jun 4, 2025 12:00 PM (Local Time Germany)

Phenotypic Bias in Human Neuroscience Methods: Creating an Equitable Research Field

from Jun 3, 2025 11:00 AM to Jun 4, 2025 12:00 PM (Local Time Germany)

Real World Neuroscience

Jun 10, 2025 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM (Local Time Germany)

Avian developmental programming: the chicken and the egg

Jun 24, 2025 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM (Local Time Germany)

Website Campus Development

Website Campus Development

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

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Social Media

Behind the scenes

Vocational training: Precision Mechanics

Vocational training: Precision Mechanics

Video November 11, 2024

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

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Vocational training: Biology Lab Technicians

Vocational training: Biology Lab Technicians

Video October 30, 2024

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

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Vocational training: Office Management

Vocational training: Office Management

Video May 21, 2024

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

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Imaging Facility

Imaging Facility

Video March 10, 2024

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

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Social behavior of Cichlids

Social behavior of Cichlids

Video December 17, 2023

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

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Zebrafish behavior

Zebrafish behavior

Video December 10, 2023

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

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Fieldwork in Mexico

Fieldwork in Mexico

Video November 12, 2023

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

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Decoding neurodevelopment

Decoding neurodevelopment

Video October 29, 2023

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

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Mitochondria research

Mitochondria research

Video October 22, 2023

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

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Where’s the mRNA?

Where’s the mRNA?

Video October 08, 2023

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

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Fieldwork in Madagascar

Fieldwork in Madagascar

Video September 24, 2023

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

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Motion vision in fruit flies

Motion vision in fruit flies

Video September 18, 2023

Inspire your vision with insights into motion vision research.

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Fieldwork in Alaska

Fieldwork in Alaska

Video August 20, 2023

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

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