{"id":81981,"date":"2026-09-10T14:18:43","date_gmt":"2026-09-10T12:18:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/news\/?p=81981"},"modified":"2026-09-10T14:18:47","modified_gmt":"2026-09-10T12:18:47","slug":"what-ive-learned-christoph-muller","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/news\/people-perspectives\/what-ive-learned-christoph-muller\/","title":{"rendered":"What I\u2019ve Learned: Christoph M\u00fcller"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
One might say that Christoph M\u00fcller has always been drawn to understanding structure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
At an early age, he was experimenting with building structures with pieces of wood he found. The experiences allowed him to appreciate the intricacies of functional construction. So after initial academic forays into pharmaceutical science and chemistry, he found his place within the realm of structural biology and crystallography. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
M\u00fcller spent the past 19 years in his Heidelberg lab, but his story didn\u2019t start there. He did a PhD in Freiburg, where he was introduced to EMBL Hamburg, using the synchrotron to collect data for his PhD.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt was very labour-intensive. We often had to work through the night, develop films in darkrooms while collecting data, and coordinate everything manually,\u201d he recounted. \u201cWe spent many nights with almost no sleep just to complete a dataset at a synchrotron.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The U.S. then posed opportunities for him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAt that time, it was also much easier to move to the U.S.,\u201d he said. \u201cFor example, I don\u2019t think an application like mine for a postdoctoral fellowship would have quite the same outcome today. I said I wanted to go to a major lab on the U.S. East Coast, but I didn\u2019t know which one. They gave me the fellowship, asking that I just tell them later which lab I chose.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The postdoctoral fellowship led to a position at EMBL Grenoble in July 1995. It was there that M\u00fcller and his scientist wife, Florence Baudin, started their family of three daughters. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Looking back, M\u00fcller has made an indelible mark in structural biology, identifying some of the cell’s most important molecular machines and how they work. His work has resulted in detailed structures that help us understand RNA polymerases better, as well as structures of proteins that control immune responses, inflammation, and cell growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Recently, he shared stories and some of his wisdom as he winds down his time in Heidelberg and begins the life of an Emeritus Scientist at EMBL. The following are highlights from that discussion:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The early years<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
As a child, I really liked being outside<\/strong>, running around, being very active, but I also liked building things. That probably connects to my interest in structural biology. We structural biologists even use physical models. You can hold them and see the three-dimensional structure and shape.<\/p>\n\n\n\nAs a child, M\u00fcller was already interested in structure. Credit: M\u00fcller family album<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
My father was a pharmacist with a laboratory.<\/strong> So when I was old enough, I also had a small laboratory. First in my room, but after two adventurous experiments, my parents moved me into a separate part of the house.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My father trained young pharmacists in botany. <\/strong>They would go out, collect plants, dry them, and identify them carefully, making teas and other remedies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Physics interested me,<\/strong> even though I didn\u2019t fully understand it at the time \u2013 things like atoms and molecules, and how everything is structured. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I initially studied pharmacy,<\/strong> but I realised that pharmacy wasn\u2019t what I wanted to do, so I switched to chemistry. Then, a new professor arrived in Freiburg, bringing structural biology and crystallography into the department. That was the turning point. I was drawn to crystallography and then to structural biology more broadly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The beauty of structural biology<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
You have real discovery moments.<\/strong> In structural biology, especially crystallography, some moments are very clear. When you solve a structure, there is a moment where you know: this is right. That gives you confidence. You realise this is not something you invented; it is how the molecule actually is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Determining a new structure is a pinnacle moment for structural biologists.<\/strong> For me, it was importin \u03b2, a crucial nuclear transport receptor responsible for moving macromolecules through the nuclear pore complex into the cell nucleus and which binds together other molecules. It\u2019s a fascinating structure because it wraps around another molecule, and you immediately understand how it works.<\/p>\n\n\n\nOne of M\u00fcller\u2019s important collaborators was Iain Mattaj, who later became one of EMBL\u2019s Director Generals. Their collaboration involved studying importin \u03b2, a protein that acts somewhat like a transport vehicle, carrying other proteins into the nucleus. M\u00fcller\u2019s group used X-ray crystallography to determine the three-dimensional structure of importin-\u03b2 and how it interacts with its cargo. This photo is from EMBL\u2019s 2004-2005 Annual Report. Credit: Udo Ringeisen\/EMBL<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
In some cases, structure immediately gives you insight into function.<\/strong> That is rather rare. Many structures don\u2019t tell you much, but sometimes you see one and immediately understand how it likely works. That was the case with Importin \u03b2.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Structural biology allows you<\/strong> to see the building blocks of a cell, parts of a larger assembly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Crystallography is still an important technique,<\/strong> but now we also have cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) and other methods. With cryo-EM and related approaches, we can study larger complexes and even observe molecular behaviour in more native cellular contexts. It\u2019s broadened structural biology and made it more powerful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
And now there is AlphaFold,<\/strong> which essentially builds on all this accumulated knowledge and can predict new structures \u2013 even design new binders and molecules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Structural biology has long been seen as very concrete and very important.<\/strong> The structure of DNA \u2013 the double helix \u2013 was, of course, a foundational example of structural biology, and protein structures like those solved by pioneers such as Perutz and Kendrew also established its importance. However, as more structural biology studies were done, people also became more aware of its limitations. You cannot always directly infer function from structure. It does not solve all biological problems. Today, many structural biology laboratories are still thriving \u2013 far more than in the past, so it continues to have a huge impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Grenoble years<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nEMBL Grenoble researchers know that skiing is as much a part of their lives as science is. Though this photo was taken after M\u00fcller moved on to EMBL Heidelberg, he continued to ski. In this photo from a 2014 lab retreat in the Black Forest, he skis among members of his group.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
EMBL was a remarkable combination<\/strong> \u2013 excellent science in a stunning environment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I arrived in Grenoble, the ESRF synchrotron had just opened for use.<\/strong> It was a third-generation synchrotron, using undulators and producing an extremely bright beam. It was essentially the best synchrotron in the world then.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
People in the U.S. were quite envious<\/strong> that I could start my group there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Most memorable activity?<\/strong> If I\u2019m honest, probably the skiing excursions, but the research was also very important. But what was really fantastic was being in such a beautiful location, surrounded by mountains, while also having access to cutting-edge scientific instruments like the synchrotron.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The synchrotron was extremely important for my work.<\/strong> The high-brilliance beamlines were particularly valuable at the beginning of my research. When I started, people were still using very simple diffractometers, measuring one reflection at a time using home sources. That was extremely slow and cumbersome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was asked whether I would be interested in moving to EMBL Heidelberg<\/strong>, we thought about it carefully. We liked Grenoble and enjoyed living there, but I was offered the opportunity to become joint head of a unit together with Peer Bork in Heidelberg.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the same time, electron microscopy was increasingly important<\/strong>, and we already had projects involving EM and data collection. There was a sense that Heidelberg would open new possibilities and directions for the research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Heidelberg during the \u2018resolution revolution\u2019<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThe synchrotron brought scientists from around the world to Grenoble, who also enjoyed hiking in the mountains. M\u00fcller is shown here in 1996 with his wife and fellow scientist Florence Baudin (left), together with Stephen and Alison Cusack, Carl Br\u00e4nd\u00e9n, and Wayne Hendrickson. Credit: Janet Smith<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Electron microscopy was much more established<\/strong> in Heidelberg, with more instruments, and we could invest in new high-end microscopes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was a time of major leaps in electron microscope capability<\/strong>, appropriately referred to as the \u2018resolution revolution\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I arrived, we acquired the latest, very expensive, high-end microscope.<\/strong> It became clear that the scientific community wanted not just access, but training. That led to the idea of creating an imaging centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Life lessons<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
I remember Iain Mattaj<\/strong> saying<\/strong>, never hire someone who walks slower than you. That was, of course, difficult advice to follow literally; he always walked very fast. But I understood what he meant. One shouldn\u2019t be afraid to hire people who are better than themselves \u2013 more brilliant, more creative, and more energetic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Science is difficult.<\/strong> You have to be passionate about what you do. Things often don\u2019t work, and it can be frustrating. So you need a community that supports you and believes in what you are doing. And you also need persistence, especially when things are difficult. And you need to be collegial \u2013 willing to collaborate, reach out to others, and build alliances where possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I remember a Christmas dinner with my group<\/strong> where I thanked everyone for their excellent work and their contributions to our research. A student looked at me and said, \u201cChristoph, we are not doing this for you. We are doing this for ourselves.\u201d And that person was right! But at the same time, individual goals have a way of merging into a collective goal. It\u2019s also true that you are not doing everything just for others. We shouldn\u2019t think of students as doing things simply to help a supervisor, like children pleasing their parents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Conferences and courses have always been a highlight.<\/strong> I started a course in 2002, and it is still running more than 20 years later, which makes me very happy. It is good to see that it continues.<\/p>\n\n\n\nA research group is like a family, socialising together to build a strong team. From 2013, one of many research team dinners. Credit: Toby Gibson<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
One key principle has been not sticking to a single technique.<\/strong> I learned that at EMBL. You choose the technique that fits the problem. I was fortunate to be in an environment where that was possible. Not many places offer that flexibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some of my most important discoveries came from mistakes<\/strong> or small errors that unexpectedly opened new directions. You cannot plan everything. I have had several serendipitous discoveries that led to very nice papers, and I am proud of those.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I am very proud of the Imaging Centre.<\/strong> When I walk through it, I think it is a great initiative and a beautiful facility. I am proud that we managed to build it. I think it will become a hub for technology development and a magnet for users who want access to cutting-edge methods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Building the Partnership for Structural Biology in Grenoble<\/strong> was another important moment. We created a shared structure where different institutions came together. It was about bringing people and institutes together, aligning efforts, and creating a shared scientific platform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As a scientist, you have the privilege of meeting very bright people.<\/strong> They are often not only highly intelligent but also very open, friendly, and interesting to talk to. That interaction \u2013 and the ideas and energy that come from it \u2013 is what I will miss most.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The future that awaits<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
From here, we will return to Grenoble for a couple of years.<\/strong> It\u2019s always been a home to us, and we really do look forward to going back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You always think you could have done more.<\/strong> In recent years, I\u2019ve been too distracted by political and administrative issues that take energy away from research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I often come back to my early woodworking days as a child, even building a chair then, but without any formal plans and questionable results.<\/strong> I may go back to building furniture. I haven\u2019t built much recently mostly because I didn\u2019t have time. But even when I was a student, I sometimes had access to workshops and would build things there. One of the last things I built was a large desk made from old wood. I still use it today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I hope I will be remembered for helping to create a collegial, friendly, and supportive environment<\/strong>, one where people can grow, develop their talents, and flourish. That was always important to me.<\/p>\n\n\n\nChristoph M\u00fcller has made an indelible mark in structural biology, identifying some of the cell’s most important molecular machines and how they work: determining structures that help us better understand RNA polymerases and proteins that control immune responses, inflammation, and cell growth. Credit: Umar Rashid<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Christoph M\u00fcller shared his thoughts on the state of life sciences and structural biology after 35 years as a researcher who has made important contributions to the field.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":100,"featured_media":82033,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[17593],"tags":[12758,793,441,35,17683],"embl_taxonomy":[18861,9792,9596,9796,5152,5148,5150,5162],"class_list":["post-81981","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-people-perspectives","tag-alphafold","tag-imaging-centre","tag-muller","tag-structural-biology","tag-what-ive-learned","embl_taxonomy-christoph-muller","embl_taxonomy-embl-grenoble","embl_taxonomy-embl-hamburg","embl_taxonomy-embl-heidelberg","embl_taxonomy-molecular-systems-biology","embl_taxonomy-structural-biology-embl-grenoble","embl_taxonomy-structural-biology-embl-hamburg","embl_taxonomy-structural-biology-services-grenoble"],"embl_taxonomy_terms":[{"uuid":"a:2:{i:0;s:36:\"4428d1fd-441a-4d6d-a1c5-5dcf5665f213\";i:1;s:36:\"63333cc0-a357-4f7e-b1d5-43dc9e27227f\";}","parents":[],"name":["Christoph M\u00fcller"],"slug":"christoph-muller","description":"Who > Christoph M\u00fcller"},{"uuid":"a:3:{i:0;s:36:\"b14d3f13-5670-44fb-8970-e54dfd9c921a\";i:1;s:36:\"89e00fee-87f4-482e-a801-4c3548bb6a58\";i:2;s:36:\"8f81131e-d37c-470c-848f-618fce652295\";}","parents":[],"name":["EMBL Grenoble"],"slug":"embl-grenoble","description":"Where > All EMBL sites > EMBL Grenoble"},{"uuid":"a:3:{i:0;s:36:\"b14d3f13-5670-44fb-8970-e54dfd9c921a\";i:1;s:36:\"89e00fee-87f4-482e-a801-4c3548bb6a58\";i:2;s:36:\"613c4de5-1775-447f-af71-4b07085318e9\";}","parents":[],"name":["EMBL Hamburg"],"slug":"embl-hamburg","description":"Where > All EMBL sites > EMBL Hamburg"},{"uuid":"a:3:{i:0;s:36:\"b14d3f13-5670-44fb-8970-e54dfd9c921a\";i:1;s:36:\"89e00fee-87f4-482e-a801-4c3548bb6a58\";i:2;s:36:\"ab46b6d4-71d8-49f8-b2f4-b326d4c8ea4e\";}","parents":[],"name":["EMBL Heidelberg"],"slug":"embl-heidelberg","description":"Where > All EMBL sites > EMBL Heidelberg"},{"uuid":"a:3:{i:0;s:36:\"302cfdf7-365b-462a-be65-82c7b783ebf7\";i:1;s:36:\"7ca3ce91-dc32-47ea-8d4b-7a53c3a3a9fd\";i:2;s:36:\"bd910dd7-0cda-4618-8bfa-d37fbda8438e\";}","parents":[],"name":["Molecular Systems Biology"],"slug":"molecular-systems-biology","description":"What > Research Units > Molecular Systems Biology"},{"uuid":"a:3:{i:0;s:36:\"302cfdf7-365b-462a-be65-82c7b783ebf7\";i:1;s:36:\"7ca3ce91-dc32-47ea-8d4b-7a53c3a3a9fd\";i:2;s:36:\"fc528877-4017-438f-85b4-de2b54c443f1\";}","parents":[],"name":["Structural Biology (EMBL Grenoble)"],"slug":"structural-biology-embl-grenoble","description":"What > Research Units > Structural Biology (EMBL Grenoble)"},{"uuid":"a:3:{i:0;s:36:\"302cfdf7-365b-462a-be65-82c7b783ebf7\";i:1;s:36:\"7ca3ce91-dc32-47ea-8d4b-7a53c3a3a9fd\";i:2;s:36:\"2dc39890-6c01-47bf-ac78-d42abdb10079\";}","parents":[],"name":["Structural Biology (EMBL Hamburg)"],"slug":"structural-biology-embl-hamburg","description":"What > Research Units > Structural Biology (EMBL Hamburg)"},{"uuid":"a:3:{i:0;s:36:\"302cfdf7-365b-462a-be65-82c7b783ebf7\";i:1;s:36:\"ef0437fc-a5b7-4c73-bcfd-63bff16cb35e\";i:2;s:36:\"d102eaff-9134-4e84-ae28-ba67905c9027\";}","parents":[],"name":["Structural Biology services (Grenoble)"],"slug":"structural-biology-services-grenoble","description":"What > Services and facilities > Structural Biology services (Grenoble)"}],"yoast_head":"\n
What I\u2019ve Learned: Christoph M\u00fcller | EMBL<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Christoph M\u00fcller shares his thoughts on structural biology and from the many experiences and wisdom collected over a 35-year career.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/news\/people-perspectives\/what-ive-learned-christoph-muller\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"What I\u2019ve Learned: Christoph M\u00fcller | EMBL\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Christoph M\u00fcller shares his thoughts on structural biology and from the many experiences and wisdom collected over a 35-year career.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/news\/people-perspectives\/what-ive-learned-christoph-muller\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"EMBL\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/embl.org\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-09-10T12:18:43+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-09-10T12:18:47+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Mueller_240222_02.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1000\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"600\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Ivy Kupec\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@embl\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@embl\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Ivy Kupec\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"11 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"NewsArticle\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/news\/people-perspectives\/what-ive-learned-christoph-muller\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/news\/people-perspectives\/what-ive-learned-christoph-muller\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Ivy Kupec\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/news\/#\/schema\/person\/427f2c9b624bc32ffa67d80414712274\"},\"headline\":\"What I\u2019ve Learned: Christoph M\u00fcller\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-09-10T12:18:43+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-09-10T12:18:47+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/news\/people-perspectives\/what-ive-learned-christoph-muller\/\"},\"wordCount\":2101,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/news\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/news\/people-perspectives\/what-ive-learned-christoph-muller\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Mueller_240222_02.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"alphafold\",\"imaging centre\",\"m\u00fcller\",\"structural biology\",\"what I've learned\"],\"articleSection\":[\"People & Perspectives\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/news\/people-perspectives\/what-ive-learned-christoph-muller\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/news\/people-perspectives\/what-ive-learned-christoph-muller\/\",\"name\":\"What I\u2019ve Learned: Christoph M\u00fcller | EMBL\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/news\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/news\/people-perspectives\/what-ive-learned-christoph-muller\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/news\/people-perspectives\/what-ive-learned-christoph-muller\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Mueller_240222_02.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-09-10T12:18:43+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-09-10T12:18:47+00:00\",\"description\":\"Christoph M\u00fcller shares his thoughts on structural biology and from the many experiences and wisdom collected over a 35-year career.\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/news\/people-perspectives\/what-ive-learned-christoph-muller\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/news\/people-perspectives\/what-ive-learned-christoph-muller\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Mueller_240222_02.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Mueller_240222_02.jpg\",\"width\":1000,\"height\":600,\"caption\":\"After 35 years, Christoph M\u00fcller has a new title: Emeritus Scientist. 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