[1] The research in the institute encompasses many topics from molecular, cellular, and developmental biology as well as from biophysics.

The MPI-CBG is headed by six tenured directors or group leaders[3] – Anne Grapin-Botton (France) as managing director, Anthony Hyman (UK), Marino Zerial (Italy), Stephan Grill (Germany), Heather Harrington (USA), and Meritxell Huch (Spain).

Directors emeritus are: Eugene Myers (USA), Kai Simons (Finland), Elisabeth Knust (Germany), Wieland Huttner.

The flat organisation and the absence of department divisions fosters direct communication and a slim administration.

Together with the MPI-PKS and the TUD, the MPI-CBG founded the Center for Systems Biology Dresden (CSBD).