Postdoc Appreciation Week 2024 | Andreas Müller

What is your name?

Andreas Müller

Which research group are you in?

Solimena lab

Where are you from?

Germany

What topic do you research? 

My main research interest is how the structure of the insulin producing beta cells allows them to fulfill their tasks in the body. I use different microscopy methods to resolve and analyze beta cells and their organelles at high resolution in order to find out how insulin is transported within the cells. I'm also interested in how beta cells communicate with each other and other islet cell types via tiny antennae, called primary cilia. Ultimately, I want to find out more about structural changes in beta cells in type 2 diabetes and how they contribute to the disease.

Why/how did you become involved in this subject? 

I was interested in diabetes because it is such a widespread disease and I was hoping that my imaging approach could lead to new findings on how beta cells work and how their function declines in disease. I have been working with beta cells for many years now and over this period of time and through collaborations I was able to obtain large 3D datasets of these cells that were not available before. From a structural perspective there is still a lot to explore and with these new data we have found new features that might be involved in diabetes.

What is your favorite part of working as a Postdoc at the PLID?

There are many things about working at the PLID that I really enjoy. I love the indepence that I have in pursuing my ideas and projects. I also like the interaction with scientists from my lab, but also other labs within the PLID since the variety of topics we are working on enables us to profit from each other's expertise and find synergies for joint projects. I also really enjoy that I have the opportunity to supervise students and to help them to develop the skills to become great scientists. Finally, I love working in such an international environment.

What are some challenges you face day to day as a Postdoc? 

My major challenge is to find a good work-life balance. For many people, science is a full-time job and it is tempting to think about projects, write emails, and organize meetings after working hours. This is then reducing the time that I want to spend with my family. I'm trying to separate work and family life better.

What motivates you? 

My major motivation is to see things that nobody has seen before. To use and develop technologies that allow us to appreciate the tiniest details of (beta) cells and that help us to understand better how these cells work.

What do you like to do when you are not in the lab?

I like spending time with my family and doing activities with my sons like going to the zoo or swimming. I like meeting friends, going to concerts and building Legos.

If you could visit yourself while you were still a student, what advice would you offer? 

My advice would be to look for more opportunities to travel and get work experience in labs abroad. Also, I would recommend to myself to organize my work schedule a bit better.