Christoph Benning

Christoph Benning is a University Distinguished Professor at Michigan State University, holding appointments in the Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Molecular Plant Sciences Program, Plant Biology, and Genetics & Genome Sciences Program. He leads the MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory and contributes to the Cell & Molecular Biology Program and BioMolecular Science Gateway.

• Ph.D., 1991, Michigan State University
• M.S., 1986, Albert-Ludwigs Universitaet, Freiburg, Germany
• Postdoctoral Researcher, 1991-1993, Michigan State University
• Group Leader, 1993-1997, Institut fuer Genbiologische Forschung Berlin GmbH

His research centers on lipid metabolism in photosynthetic organisms, with a focus on chloroplast membrane assembly, lipid remodeling under stress, and biofuel production from algae. His lab uses Arabidopsis and Chlamydomonas to study genetic and biochemical mechanisms governing lipid biosynthesis, stress tolerance, and cellular quiescence in algae.

Recent publications highlight advancements in chloroplast nanofactories, ER-chloroplast lipid transport, and WRINKLED1 transcription factor engineering to boost lipid accumulation. These works span synthetic biology, metabolic engineering, and environmental stress responses in plants and algae.

• Scientific Awards: Fellow of the American Society of Plant Biologists (2025), Member of the National Academy of Sciences (2025), Senior Member of the National Academy of Inventors (2022), and multiple teaching/mentoring awards.
• Advising: Recognized for mentoring graduate and postdoctoral researchers.
• Labs & Collaborations: Leads the Benning Lab at MSU, with DOE-funded projects and partnerships in algal biofuel research.