Jürgen M. Plitzko

Prof. Jürgen M. Plitzko is a leading researcher in cryo-electron microscopy and tomography, serving as Group Leader of the CryoEM Technology Research Group at the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry in Martinsried, Germany. He previously held the position of Full Professor and Chair of Biomolecular Electron Microscopy at Utrecht University from 2013 to 2015.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Chemistry, Max Planck Institute for Metals Research, Stuttgart, Germany (1994–1998)
• Studies in Mineralogy and Physics, University of Tübingen, Germany (1988–1994)

Research Focus: Prof. Plitzko's group is dedicated to advancing cryo-electron tomography (cryoET) and in situ structural biology. Their work spans the full workflow of cryoET, including sample preparation via focused ion beam milling, imaging, and data processing. A key emphasis is on enabling visual proteomics by developing methods for vitrified samples from both isolated cells and larger tissues, enabling nanoscale biopsy techniques.

The research bridges molecular and cellular structural biology, aiming to make cryoET more practical and accessible for complex biological systems.

Awards:

• Ernst-Ruska Prize (2015)

Affiliations & Team: Prof. Plitzko leads the CryoEM Technology Research Group at the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry. His team focuses on integrating cutting-edge technologies to push the boundaries of structural biology, particularly in cryoEM and cryoET applications.