The Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC) is one of the most important centers for biomedical research. The MDC was founded in 1992, based on institutes of the former Academy of Sciences of the GDR, with a mission of translating discoveries from molecular research into applications to improve the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of major human diseases. The site – rich in tradition – in Berlin-Buch, home to hospital clinics, research institutes and a flourishing biotech industry, is fertile ground for interdisciplinary and patient-oriented research. As a testament to its success, the MDC has been ranked 14th in the Thompson Reuters list of the world’s 20 best research institutes for molecular biology and genetics, based on our publication record.
Currently about 1,600 staff members and guests work at the MDC. The annual institutional budget amounts to approximately 76 million Euros, 90 percent of which is received from the federal government and 10 percent from the State of Berlin. This is complemented by about 21 million Euros obtained by MDC researchers through grants and other external sources.