Press Releases

Melina Schuh

The director and her team filmed the entire ovulation process in mouse follicles in real-time for the first time. For this decisive success in her field, she has been awarded the 2025 Science Breakthrough by the Falling Walls Foundation in the Life Sciences category. The jury selected her as the winner from 240 nominations. more

More hope for pregnancy: Ovo Labs secures 4 million pounds in start-up capital

The spin-off of the Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, launched in January 2025, is developing novel therapeutics to improve the quality of human egg cells. The compounds are intended to help women remain fertile for a longer time and to increase the chances of a successful pregnancy or in vitro fertilization (IVF). more

A mouse oocyte extrudes a polar body.

A woman's egg cells are already formed in her body before she is born. However, with increasing age, DNA damage accumulates in the cells. Researchers have revealed why the cell’s own repair mechanisms do not fix this damage. more

Ovulation filmed from start to finish for the first time

Researchers have succeeded in visualizing the entire process of ovulation in mouse follicles in real-time for the first time. The new live imaging technique allows to study ovulation with high spatial and temporal resolution and opens up new possibilities in fertility research. more

Egg cell maintenance: Long-lived proteins may be essential

Female mammals, including humans, are born with all of their egg cells. Some egg cells therefore survive for several decades – and need to remain functional over this long time. Extremely long-lived proteins in the ovary seem to play an important role in this and may help maintain fertility for as long as possible. more

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