Martin J. Müller

Prof. Dr. Martin J. Müller is Professor and Chair of Pharmaceutical Biology at the Julius von Sachs Institute of Biosciences, University of Würzburg, Germany. His group combines metabolomics, lipidomics and genetic approaches to decode lipid-mediated signalling in plants and insects under stress.

Education & Career:

• 1992 Dissertation, Ludwig-Maximilian-University Munich
• 1993–present Continuous academic career culminating in appointment as Chair of Pharmaceutical Biology, University of Würzburg

Research Focus:
The Müller laboratory investigates how membrane-derived oxidised lipids (oxylipins, phytoprostanes, jasmonates) and energy-storage lipids (triacylglycerols) orchestrate plant adaptation to heat, salt, pathogens and herbivory. High-resolution mass spectrometry is employed to map metabolic shifts in Arabidopsis, crop plants and Drosophila, followed by CRISPR/Cas or classic mutant studies to test gene function.

Recent work extends these concepts to the circadian clock, deciphering how daily oscillations in lipid metabolism couple to behavioural and physiological outputs in insects, and how natural variation across 1,135 Arabidopsis ecotypes underpins climate adaptation.

Scientific Awards:
While specific honours are not listed, Prof. Müller’s sustained funding record and >200 peer-reviewed articles (1993-2023) demonstrate international recognition.

Research Teams & Collaboration:
He heads the “AG Müller” research group and participates in collaborative centres including the CRC “Insect Timing” and the Metabolomics Core Unit. Ongoing projects integrate expertise from co-PIs Agnes Fekete, Daniel Maag and Arthur Korte.