Career summary

Since the beginning of my career, I have developed a strong interest in the molecular basis of developmental biology in general and more particularly of plants. After a long period of researching signal transduction in meristems, my research focus shifted to the epigenetic control of plant development and epigenetic plant memory of extrinsic signals including abiotic and biotic stress. Hence, I am a developmental plant biologist by training with more than 20 years of laboratory experience and a strong background in epigenetics, stress responses/memory, signal transduction, gene regulatory networks (GRN) and their roles in plant development including de novo root regeneration (DNRR), stem cell maintenance, flowering time, root, flower and leaf development. Over the years, I was working in a wide spectrum of modern molecular and plant biology. I am an expert in the analysis of plant phenotypes and morphological changes as well as the molecular basis of genetic and epigenetic gene regulation in plants. My team at the Lushan Botanical Garden, Jiangxi Province and Chinese Academy of Science (Nanchang, China), works on 'Plant Epigenetics and Development' of Arabidopsis, Populus and economically significant trees. Our current projects include 'Plant-Memory' and 'Hormonal and Epigenetic Control of De Novo Root Regeneration (DNRR).'

Academic employments

2021 - Present: Principal Investigator (Research group: Plant Epigenetics and Development), Lushan Botanical Garden, Jiangxi Province and Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanchang, China.

2015 - 2021: Professor (Full) of Genetics, College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China

2013 - 2015: Independent Marie Curie-IEF Fellow (Institute of Genetics); Heinrich-Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany

2012 - 2013: Postdoctoral Research Scientist (Institute of Genetics), Heinrich-Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany

2011 - 2012: Guest Researcher (DAAD Fellow), Department of Plant Developmental Biology, Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research, Cologne, Germany

2008 - 2011: Postdoctoral Research Scientist (IMPS), The University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom

2008: Postdoctoral Research Scientist (Institute of Genetics), Heinrich-Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany

Educational Qualification

Dr. rer. nat. (PhD) 2003 - 2007: in Plant Genetics (Plant stem cells) at the Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany

Diplom Biologist (Master) 1995 - 2002: in Biology (Developmental Biology, Biochemistry, Organic Chemistry) at the University of Cologne, Germany

Teaching / Demonstration Experience

Plant Development (2015-2021, postgraduates, NEFU Harbin)

Plant Epigenetics (2015-2021, undergraduates, NEFU Harbin)

Summer academy course for high-school students: Role of Pc-G in plant development (2013, high-school students, HHU Düsseldorf)

Advanced studies course: Molecular genetics (2004 - 2007, undergraduates, HHU Düsseldorf)

Basic studies course: Arabidopsis flower development (2004 - 2007; 2013 - 2014, undergraduates, HHU Düsseldorf)

Reviewer of the Journals

Journal of Experimental Botany, Journal of Applied Genetics, Functional Plant Biology, Plos One, Plant Signaling & Behavior; Co-Reviewer: Science, Genes & Development

Research collaborators

- Prof. Dr. JIAO, Yuling, Peking University and Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China

- Prof. Dr. Justin Goodrich, The University of Edinburgh, UK

- Prof. Dr. Daniel Schubert, Free University of Berlin, Germany

- Prof. Dr. Jennifer Fletcher, University of California, Berkeley, USA

- Prof. Dr. Yvonne Stahl, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany

- Prof. Dr. LIU, Xuemei, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China

- Dr. Sara Farrona, National University of Ireland Galway (NUI Galway), Ireland

- Dr. Arvind Bhatt, Lushan Botanical Garden, Jiangxi Province and Chinese Academy of Sciences, Jiujiang, China.

- Dr. LIU, Xiaokun, Lushan Botanical Garden, Jiangxi Province and Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanchang, China.

Leading Research Grants, and Fellowships

2022: High-Level Foreign Experts Project (G2021022004) from the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology

2021-2023: Lushan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Starting Grant, funding

2018 -To date: National Natural Science Foundation of China (project No. 31771602); funding

2020-2021: Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities, China (Grant No. 2572016DA03); funding

2017-2018: National Natural Science Foundation of China (project No. 31640054); funding

2015-2019: Starting Grant for Distinguished Young Scholars, Advantage Discipline Innovation Platform, Northeast Forestry University; funding 

2013-2015: Marie Curie-IEF Fellowship, Project: Plant Memory; Heinrich-Heine University, Düsseldorf; funding

2011-2012: Return fellowship of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD); Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research, Cologne; funding

Selected Research Publications 

Total citations in professional articles ≥ 1500, h-index: 10 (Google Scholar, 06/03/2023)  

19. Liu, X., Xing, Q., Liu, X. and Müller-Xing, R.* (under revision). Expression of the Populus orthologues of AtYY1, YIN and YANG activate the floral identity genes AGAMOUS and SEPALLATA3 accelerating floral transition in Arabidopsis thaliana. Int. J. Mol. Sci., IF 6.2, Q1, * Corresponding author.

18. Müller-Xing, R.*, and Xing, Q. (2022), The Plant Stem-Cell Niche and Pluripotency: 15 Years of an Epigenetic Perspective. Frontiers in Plant Science, invited article, https://doi.org/ 10.3389/fpls.2022.1018559, IF 6.6, Q1; * Corresponding author.

17.  Müller-Xing, R.*, Ardiansyah, R., Xing, Q., Faivre, L., Tian, J., Wang, G., Zheng, Y., Wang, X., Jing, T., de Leau, E., Chen, S., Chen, S., Schubert, D., and Goodrich, J. (2022). Polycomb Proteins Control Floral Determinacy by H3K27me3-mediated Repression of Pluripotency Genes in Arabidopsis thaliana. Journal of Experimental Botany, 2022 Apr 18, IF 7.3, Q1; 2 citations; * Corresponding author.

16. Tian, J., Xing, Q., Jing, T., Fan, X., Zhang, Q., and Müller-Xing, R.* (2022). The Epigenetic Regulator ULTRAPETALA1 suppresses De novo Root Regeneration from Arabidopsis leaf explants. Plant Signaling & Behavior, 2022 Feb 15, https://doi.org/10.1080/15592324.2022.2031784, IF 2.7, Q2; 3 citations; * Corresponding author. 

15. Müller-Xing, R.* and Xing Q. (2021). In da Club: The cytoplasmic kinase MAZZA joins CLAVATA signaling and dances with CLV1-like receptors. Journal of Experimental Botany, 22;72(13):4596-4599. IF 7.3, Q1; 1 citation; * Corresponding author. 

14. Xiong, Y., Xing, Q. and Ralf Müller-Xing, R.* (2021). A novel UV-B priming system reveals an UVR8-depedent memory, which provides resistance against UV-B stress in Arabidopsis leaves. Plant Signaling & Behavior, 2021 Apr 3;16(4):1879533. IF 2.7, Q2; 5 citations; * Corresponding author. 

13. Jing, T., Ardiansyah, R., Xu, Q., Xing, Q. and Müller-Xing, R.* (2020). Reprogramming of Cell Fate during Root Regeneration by Transcriptional and Epigenetic Networks. Frontiers in Plant Science, 2020 Mar 25;11:317. IF 6.6, Q1; 21 citations; * Corresponding author. 

12. Li, X. […], Li, Y., Xing, Q. and Müller-Xing, R.* (2020) Ectopic expression of the transcription factor CUC2 restricts growth by cell cycle inhibition in Arabidopsis leaves. Plant Signaling & Behavior, 2020;15(1):1706024. IF 2.7, Q2; 6 citations; * Corresponding author. 

11. Müller-Xing, R.*, Goodrich, J. and Schubert, D. (2015). Non-inductive conditions expose the cryptic bract of flower phytomeres in Arabidopsis thaliana. Plant Signaling & Behavior, 2015;10(4):e1010868. IF 2.7, Q2; 10 citations; * Corresponding author. 

10. Müller-Xing, R.*, Xing, Q. and Goodrich, J. (2014). Footprints of the Sun: Memory of UV and Light Stress in Plants. Frontiers in Plant Science 5:474. IF 6.6, Q1; 162 citations; * Corresponding author. 

9. Müller-Xing, R., Clarenz, O., Pokorny, L., Goodrich, J. and Schubert, D. (2014). Polycomb-Group Proteins and FLOWERING LOCUS T Maintain Commitment to Flowering in Arabidopsis thaliana. The Plant Cell 26 2457-2471. IF 11.3, Q1; 48 citations; Cover story of Plant Cell, June 2014. 

8. López Vernaza, M., Yang, S., Müller, R., deLeau, E. and Goodrich J. (2012). Antagonistic roles of SEPALLATA3, FT and FLC genes as targets of the polycomb group gene CURLY LEAF. PLoS one 2012;7(2):e30715. IF 3.8; 78 citations. 

7. Liu, X., Kim, Y.J., Müller, R., Yumul, R.E., Liu, C., Pan, Y., Cao, X., Goodrich, J. and Chen X. (2011). AGAMOUS directly represses the stem cell maintenance gene WUSCHEL by recruiting Polycomb Group proteins to terminate floral stem cells in Arabidopsis. The Plant Cell 23, 3654-70. IF 11.3, Q1; 246 citations; Recommended by Faculty of 1000 (6 stars). 

6. Müller, R. and Goodrich, J. (2011). Sweet memories: Epigenetic control in flowering. F1000 biology reports 3, 13. IF (2013) 4.0; 19 citations. 

5. Müller, R. and Goodrich, J. (2011). The footprints of winter: The marks on genetic machinery that give plants a memory of winter. The Scientist 25, 3, 57-58. 

4. Müller, R., Bleckmann, A. und Simon, R. (2008). The receptor kinase CORYNE of Arabidopsis transmits the stem cell-limiting signal CLAVATA3 independently of CLAVATA1. The Plant Cell 20, 934-946. IF 11.3, Q1; 476 citations; Recommended by Faculty of 1000 (2 stars). 

3. Müller, R., Borghi, L., Kwiatkowska, D., Laufs, P. and Simon, R. (2006). Dynamic and compensatory responses of Arabidopsis shoot and floral meristems to CLV3 signaling. The Plant Cell 18, 1188-1198. IF 11.3, Q1; 190 citations; Recommended by Faculty of 1000 (1 star). 

2. Simon, R., Müller, R., Borghi, L., and Kwiatkowska, D. (2005). Control of plant stem cell populations. Mechanisms of Development 122 S1-03. 

1. Hobe, M.*, Müller, R.*, Grünewald, M., Brand, U. and Simon, R. (2003). Loss of CLE40, a protein functionally equivalent to the stem cell restricting signal CLV3, enhances root waving in Arabidopsis. Dev Genes Evol 213, 371-381. IF 2.1; Q2; 240 citations; * These authors contributed equally to this work. 

Papers/Abstracts/Posters published in Conferences and invited Talks (selection) 

2019 Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany; Plant Biology Seminar (PBS) of iGRADplant, 7th of October, 2019. Invited speaker: "Dissection of Polycomb and Trithorax Functions during Plant Development." 

2019 Northeast Agriculture University, Harbin, 23th of May, 2019. Invited speaker: "Dissection of the Spatiotemporal Patterns of Polycomb and Trithorax Functions during Plant Development." 

2018 Northwest Agriculture & Forestry University, Symposium of Stress and Epigenetics, 4th of May, 2018. Invited speaker. 

2017 KWS Plant Breeding Company, Einbeck, Germany, 2nd of May, 2017. Invited speaker. 

2017 30th Conference on Molecular Biology of Plants, 22nd of February, 2017, Germany. Conference talk: "Enhanced serration of Polycomb deficient leaves, correlating with CUC2 mis-expression and loss of H3K27me3 at the CUC2 locus, depends on CUC2 function in Arabidopsis thaliana" 

2016 Chinese Academy of Sciences (Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology), 16th of December, 2016, Changchun. Invited speaker: "Dissection of the epigenetic plant memory: Polycomb Proteins and their Antagonists shaping Plant Development and Responses to the Environment." 

2016 Chinese Academy of Sciences (Institute of Botany), 25th of October, 2016, Beijing. Invited speaker. 

2016 The First International Conference on Plant Meristem Biology, 8th of June, 2016, Taian, China. Conference talk: "A WUSCHEL-independent stem cell promoting pathway is antagonised by the Polycomb Repressor Complex 2." 

2015 28st Conference "Molekularbiologie der Pflanzen", Dabringhausen, Germany. Poster: "Plant-Memory - Role of Pc-G and Trx-G genes in the cellular memory of extrinsic signals in plants." 

2014 1st Decennial AGGRO Simon & Friends - International Conference (Plant Stem Cells and Beyond), Düsseldorf, Germany. Invited Speaker: “Role of Polycomb-group proteins in Plant Development." 

2014 9th Tri-National Arabidopsis Meetings (TNAM), Heidelberg, Germany. Invited Speaker: “Polycomb-group proteins and FLOWERING LOCUS T maintain commitment to flowering in Arabidopsis thaliana." And Poster: "Plant-Memory: Role of Pc-G and Trx-G genes in the cellular memory of extrinsic signals in plants. Part I: Search for an UV-B memory in Arabidopsis and crop plants." 

2014 2nd International Symposium: Genetic Variation of Flowering Time Genes and Applications for Crop Improvement, Bielefeld, Germany. Invited Speaker: “Polycomb-group proteins and FLOWERING LOCUS T maintain commitment to flowering in Arabidopsis thaliana”

2013 3rd European Workshop on Plant Chromatin, Madrid, Spain. Abstract: "Plant-Memory: Role of Pc-G and Trx-G genes in the cellular memory of extrinsic signals in plants." 

2010 21st International Conference on Arabidopsis Research (ICAR 2010), Yokohama, Japan. Poster: “Fix the switch: Role of Polycomb-Group Genes in Commitment to Flowering” 

2009 20th International Conference on Arabidopsis Research (ICAR 2009), Edinburgh, UK. Poster: "Role of Polycomb-Group Genes in Commitment to Flowering in Arabidopsis." 

2009 ERA-PG Research Programme Status Seminar 2009, Lisbon, Portugal. 

2007 4th Tri-National Arabidopsis Meetings (TNAM), Vienna, Austria. Poster. 

2006 15th Congress of the Federation of European Societies of Plant Biology (FESPB) Lyon, France. Poster. 

2005 Workshop: “Plant Stem Cells: Independent Inventions and Conserved Mechanisms, 2005", Madrid, Spain; Instituto Juan March, co-sponsored by EMBO. Poster: “Components and consequences of CLV signalling.” 

2002 13th International Conference on Arabidopsis Research (ICAR, 2002), Sevilla, Spain. Poster: “Analysis of a functional CLAVATA3 orthologue from Capsella rubella.”