History of (Bio-) Medical and Clinical Research in the Max Planck Society

In the mid-1970s, the Max Planck Society decided to promote clinical research more strongly, as the intensive promotion of biochemistry and molecular biology had led to a reduction in research in the actual medical field. Following the advice of international experts and following the example of British Clinical Research Units, project groups were established at clinical research institutions for a period of five years. The project investigates the epistemic, historical, scientific and contemporary reasons for the difficult situation of clinical research within the MPG as well as in its various cooperation projects. The project examines the extent to which institutional ties, organizational affiliations, disciplinary influences in different research cultures and styles of thinking have contributed to difficulties in practice, and in some cases to the failure of the institutionalization of clinical research in the MPG.

Dr. Martina Schlünder