Mark Lange

Mark Lange is a Professor and Director of the Institute of Biological Chemistry (IBC) at Washington State University (WSU), where he also leads the M.J. Murdock Metabolomics Laboratory Service Center. He holds a Ph.D. in Plant Biology from the University of Munich, Germany (1995). His research focuses on plant specialized metabolism, particularly in glandular trichomes and resin ducts, addressing gene discovery, enzyme characterization, and metabolic flux analysis. Key projects include mint varietal improvement, cannabis terpene biosynthesis, and medicinal plant biotechnology. Lange’s lab develops tools like the Spektraris mass spectral library and genomic resources for mint and yew species. Recent work includes genome-wide studies of peppermint and collaborations on taxol biosynthesis. His team advises graduate students, such as Kaylie Barton and Jeremy Boutin, and maintains state-of-the-art analytical facilities for metabolomics research.

Research emphasizes the biochemical mechanisms underpinning essential oil composition and metabolic engineering applications. Lange’s lab contributes to agricultural biotechnology by enhancing crop traits and advancing pharmaceutical plant-derived compounds. Notable tools include the Mint Genomics Resource and Yew Genomics Resource, supporting global plant science research. Publications span topics from enzyme function to metabolic modeling, often appearing in New Phytologist and Nature.