Andreas Mueller

2026 Regional Award Finalist — Post-Doc

Andreas Mueller

Current Position:
Research Associate

Institution:
The Rockefeller University

Discipline:
Biochemistry & Structural Biology

Recognized for: Using cryo-electron microscopy to reveal, step by step, how bacteria start gene transcription and how enzymes build essential RNA molecules in pathogens and cells.

Areas of Research Interest and Expertise:
Molecular Mechanisms, Gene Regulation, Structural Dynamics, Biochemistry, Biophysics

Previous Positions:

Dipl. Biol. t.o., University of Stuttgart, Germany (Advisors: Alfred L. Goldberg and Dieter H. Wolf)
Dr. sc. ETH Zurich, Switzerland (Advisor: Eilika Weber-Ban)
Postdoctoral Fellow, The Rockefeller University (Advisor: Seth Darst)
Postdoctoral Associate, The Rockefeller University (Advisor: Seth Darst)

Research Summary:

RNA is essential to life, carrying genetic instructions and enabling cells to respond to their environment, but many steps in RNA production remain difficult to understand without seeing them in action. Dr. Andreas Mueller uses cryo-electron microscopy and structural biology to capture molecular snapshots of how bacteria start gene transcription and how enzymes build RNA molecules. His work reveals these processes step by step, showing how cells control genetic information and how pathogens perform essential functions. By making these hidden mechanisms visible, Mueller’s research is deepening the understanding of fundamental biology and could inform new strategies for targeting disease-causing microbes.

“Deciphering the molecular principles of life's complexity grants us the ability to shape its future. I am deeply honored and grateful to join the outstanding scientists recognized by the Blavatnik Award.”

Key Publications:

  1. A. U. Mueller, S. A. Darst. Structural basis for multi-subunit DNA-dependent RNA polymerase catalytic activity. Molecular Cell, 2026.
  2. A. U. Mueller, N. Molina, B. T. Nixon, S. A. Darst. Real-time capture of σN transcription initiation intermediates reveals mechanism of ATPase-driven activation by limited unfolding. Nature Communications, 2025.
  3. R. M. Saecker, A. U. Mueller, B. Malone, J. Chen, W. C. Budell, V. P. Dandey, K. Maruthi, J. H. Mendez, N. Molina, E. T. Eng, L. Y. Yen, C. S. Potter, B. Carragher, S. A. Darst. Early intermediates in bacterial RNA polymerase promoter melting visualized by time-resolved cryo-electron microscopy. Nature Structural & Molecular Biology, 2024.
  4. A. U. Mueller, J. Chen, M. Wu, C. Chiu, B. T. Nixon, E. A. Campbell, S. A. Darst. A general mechanism for transcription bubble nucleation in bacteria. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2023.

Other Honors:

2022–2025 Life Sciences Research Foundation / Agouron Institute Postdoctoral Fellowship
2024 Poster Award, 4th New York Area Cryo-EM Meeting
2022 Swiss National Science Foundation PostDoc.Mobility Fellowship
2022 Career Development Award, The Rockefeller University
2022 First Place Poster Award, 42nd Steenbock Symposium
2021–2022 Swiss National Science Foundation Early PostDoc.Mobility Fellowship
2020 Medal of the ETH Zurich
2018 Poster Award, Ubiquitin & Friends Symposium

In the Media:

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