Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research

New Capabilities

As of September 2026: Hosts Barayeu's group; co-led the S8 discovery

The enzyme best known for relaxing blood vessels has a second job: it builds rings of eight sulfur atoms that shield cells from a form of self-destruction. Researchers in Japan and Germany reported in Science that mammalian cells store these cyclo-octasulfur rings in mitochondria and lipid droplets, where they feed antioxidant defenses.

Updated Sep 27

New Capabilities

As of September 2026: Led the study

Every seven years, workers repaint the Eiffel Tower by hand to keep rust from eating its iron. A new study identifies an overlooked culprit: raindrops that carry static charge until they strike a surface.

Updated Sep 11