Phil Richter

Dr. Phil Richter is a Research Fellow (Postdoc) at the Leibniz Institute for Food Systems Biology at the Technical University of Munich, conducting pioneering research in the Metabolic Function & Biosignals Research Group on extra-oral chemoreceptor physiology.

His academic credentials include:

• PhD in Natural Sciences (summa cum laude) from Leibniz Institute for Food Systems Biology at TUM (2020-2025)
• Master of Science in Organic Chemistry from University of Bayreuth, Elite Graduate Program (2017-2020)
• Master of Education from University of Bayreuth (2017-2020)
• First state teaching examination (Biology/Chemistry) in Bavaria (2019)

Dr. Richter's research centers on chemosensory mechanisms beyond classical perception, investigating how food metabolites interact with gastrointestinal receptors to influence physiological processes. His work reveals how sweet proteins like thaumatin are digested into bitter peptides that activate gastric TAS2R receptors, triggering anti-inflammatory pathways and modulating acid secretion. Current projects examine environmental pollution effects on nutrient sensing and industry-backed applications of bitter plant extracts for gastric health.

His 2022-2025 publication record demonstrates consistent innovation in molecular food-gut interactions, employing advanced techniques like atomic force microscopy to characterize receptor binding without calcium signaling. This research bridges food chemistry and gastrointestinal physiology to develop novel dietary interventions for inflammation-related conditions.

As Postdoc Representative (since 2025), Dr. Richter actively shapes the institute's research culture while contributing to Leibniz Association-funded projects. Though not supervising students directly, he mentors junior researchers in the group's collaborative environment focused on translating chemosensory discoveries into health applications.

The Metabolic Function & Biosignals Research Group operates at the intersection of food science and human biology, utilizing cutting-edge infrastructure at the Freising campus to decode how dietary compounds influence health through chemoreceptor-mediated pathways.