Ulrich Mueller

Ulrich Mueller is a Bloomberg Distinguished Professor of Neuroscience and Biology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. His research spans two primary domains: mechanotransduction in auditory hair cells and neocortical development.

In auditory research, Mueller's lab identifies molecular components of hair cell mechanotransduction channels using ENU mutagenesis in mouse deafness models. This work has revealed critical roles for proteins like TMIE, CIB2/CIB3, and Fam65b in channel function and stereocilia organization. The lab also develops novel techniques such as injectoporation for genetic manipulation of hair cells.

In cortical development, Mueller investigates neural stem cell differentiation, neuronal migration, and circuit assembly in mammals. Recent work identifies transcription factors (e.g., ZBTB20) regulating callosal neuron specification and cadherin-mediated nucleokinesis during radial migration. The lab employs genetic tools like Cux2-Cre lineage tracing across multiple species including mice, ferrets, marmosets, and humans.

Mueller directs an active laboratory with postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, and staff investigating molecular mechanisms of hearing and cortical development. He has trained over 25 graduate students and postdoctoral researchers now holding positions worldwide.