John Briggs

Dr. John Briggs is a Professor and Director of the Department of Cell and Virus Structure at the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry in Martinsried, Germany. His research focuses on the structural biology of enveloped viruses and cellular membrane trafficking mechanisms, utilizing advanced cryo-electron tomography and microscopy techniques.

• Department of Cell and Virus Structure, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry
• Specializes in cryo-electron tomography applications

Key research areas include the molecular architecture of viruses like HIV-1, influenza A, and SARS-CoV-2, as well as cellular transport vesicles such as clathrin and COPI-coated vesicles. His work develops and applies novel in situ structural biology approaches to study these systems in their native environments.

Recent publications highlight his team's contributions to understanding:

• HIV-1 matrix lattice maturation triggered by spacer peptide 2 (2025)
• SARS-CoV-2 spike protein conformational dynamics (2023-2024)
• Influenza A matrix protein assembly mechanisms (2020)

These studies demonstrate his focus on virus structure-function relationships and membrane remodeling processes.

As head of an interdisciplinary research team, he welcomes collaborators and trainees from diverse scientific backgrounds including biology, physics, engineering, and computer sciences. The group maintains active recruitment for postdoctoral positions with candidates submitting CVs and research statements directly to him.