Information for patients

At the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, we investigate the fundamental mechanisms of life: How do cells find their place in the body – and how do they decide which role to take on? What signals control the growth of blood vessels in healthy tissue and in disease? How do organs manage to maintain their structure and function over many years? And how do genetic mutations alter the function of individual cells and contribute to diseases such as cardiovascular disease or cancer?

These questions repeatedly lead people to our website – people who are affected themselves or have relatives who are – in search of answers about their own condition. We would like to take this opportunity to explain openly and honestly what we can and cannot do.

We conduct basic research, not clinical medicine

Our scientists investigate molecular and cellular mechanisms – mostly in cell and tissue models or in animal models. We are not a clinical institute, do not carry out patient studies and cannot offer individual medical advice. Specifically, this means:

• We cannot answer questions about individual disease progression or symptoms.
• We do not provide diagnoses, treatment recommendations or second opinions.
• It is not possible for patients to take part in our research projects.

Why this is the case

Basic research provides new insights into the molecular causes of diseases – it is therefore an important first step, but does not yet constitute a treatment. Before a discovery made in the laboratory can become a safe and effective treatment for patients, many further steps in clinical research are usually required, and this can take years. The scientists at our institute are generally not medical practitioners and are therefore not trained to assess individual disease progression.

Where you can turn instead

For questions about your own condition or that of a relative, we recommend:

• Your treating doctors – they are familiar with your individual situation and can assess it professionally.
• Patient organisations and self-help groups specialising in the relevant condition, which often also provide up-to-date, clearly presented research information.
• Independent, scientifically sound health portals, such as InformedHealth.org run by the Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG).

Previous enquiries

In March 2022, we published a study in collaboration with the University of Münster which showed that SARS-CoV-2 can infect certain retinal cells in retinal organoids. At the time, this study prompted many enquiries from members of the public. It formed part of our earlier work on stem cell and organoid research, which is no longer one of our institute's main areas of research. Further information on this can be found in the original press release.