Peter Murray

Professor Dr. Peter Murray is a leading immunologist and permanent group leader of the "Immune Regulation" research group at the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry in Martinsried, Germany. Since 2018, he has also served as an Honorary Professor at the Technical University of Munich (TUM). His research delves into the intricate mechanisms governing immune system decision-making, with a particular focus on macrophage biology, amino acid metabolism, and immunometabolism in health and disease.

Education and Career:

• Ph.D., The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, University of Melbourne (1988–1991)
• B.Sc. (Hons), Monash University, Melbourne (1984–1987)
• Post-Doctoral Fellow, Whitehead Institute & MIT (1991–1998)
• Assistant to Associate Member, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (1998–2014)
• Group Leader (Permanent), Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry (2017–present)
• Honorary Professor, Technical University of Munich (2018–present)

Research Interests:

Professor Murray's work is centered on understanding how the immune system makes critical decisions, particularly how metabolic cues influence immune responses. His group investigates macrophage and T-cell interactions, amino acid metabolism in immune regulation, and the role of immunometabolism in diseases like cancer, autoimmunity, and chronic infections. The team employs innovative approaches, including spatial proteomics and iPSC-derived macrophage models, to uncover new biological principles and therapeutic targets.

Scientific Awards and Honors:

• Elected to the American Academy of Microbiology (2015)
• St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Faculty Mentoring Award (2013)
• Elected Chair, American Society of Microbiology Division E (Immunology) (2012)
• The Hartwell Foundation Individual Biomedical Award (2010)
• C. J. Martin Fellow, NH&MRC Australia (1991–1994)

Labs and Teams:

Professor Murray leads the "Immune Regulation" research group at the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, a multidisciplinary team exploring the intersection of immunology and metabolism. The group collaborates extensively with international partners, including St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and various European research centers.