World's Best Scientists 2026 revealed!
Axel Himmelbach

Axel Himmelbach

D-Index & Metrics

Biology and Biochemistry

D-Index
62
Citations
20957
World Ranking
10557
National Ranking
760

Overview

Axel Himmelbach is a researcher affiliated with the Leibniz Association in Germany. Their work spans several fields centered on agricultural and biological sciences, with a focus on plant science and molecular biology. The main research topics include wheat and barley genetics and pathology, plant disease resistance and genetics, and genetic mapping and diversity in plants and animals.

They have published extensively in the areas of chromosomal and genetic variations, genetics and plant breeding, plant molecular biology, as well as plant nutrient uptake and metabolism. This multidisciplinary approach reflects a broad engagement with both foundational and applied aspects of plant genetics and breeding.

Recent notable publications by Himmelbach include:

  • Multiple wheat genomes reveal global variation in modern breeding (2020, Nature)
  • The barley pan-genome reveals the hidden legacy of mutation breeding (2020, Nature)
  • Chromosome-scale genome assembly provides insights into rye biology, evolution and agronomic potential (2021, Nature Genetics)
  • The mosaic oat genome gives insights into a uniquely healthy cereal crop (2022, Nature)
  • Supernumerary B chromosomes of Aegilops speltoides undergo precise elimination in roots early in embryo development (2020, Nature Communications)

Himmelbach collaborates frequently with a number of researchers, including Martin Mascher, Nils Stein, M. Spannagl, Georg Haberer, and Heidrun Gundlach.

Their work appears frequently in high-profile scientific journals and platforms such as:

  • bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)
  • Nature
  • Nature Communications
  • The Plant Journal
  • Research Square (Research Square)

Their main fields of study encompass agricultural and biological sciences and biochemistry, genetics, and molecular biology. Within these, their more specific subfields of research include plant science, molecular biology, genetics, ecology, evolution, behavior and systematics.

Best Publications

  • Shifting the limits in wheat research and breeding using a fully annotated reference genome

    Rudi Appels;Rudi Appels;Kellye Eversole;Nils Stein;Nils Stein

  • A physical, genetic and functional sequence assembly of the barley genome

    Klaus F.X. Mayer;Robbie Waugh;Peter Langridge;Timothy J. Close

  • A chromosome conformation capture ordered sequence of the barley genome

    Martin Mascher;Heidrun Gundlach;Axel Himmelbach;Sebastian Beier

  • Multiple wheat genomes reveal global variation in modern breeding.

    Sean Walkowiak;Sean Walkowiak;Liangliang Gao;Cecile Monat;Georg Haberer

  • Wild emmer genome architecture and diversity elucidate wheat evolution and domestication

    Raz Avni;Moran Nave;Omer Barad;Kobi Baruch

  • Durum wheat genome highlights past domestication signatures and future improvement targets

    Marco Maccaferri;Marco Maccaferri;Neil S. Harris;Sven O. Twardziok;Raj K. Pasam

  • The barley pan-genome reveals the hidden legacy of mutation breeding.

    Murukarthick Jayakodi;Sudharsan Padmarasu;Georg Haberer;Venkata Suresh Bonthala

  • Relay and control of abscisic acid signaling.

    Axel Himmelbach;Yi Yang;Erwin Grill

  • Homeodomain protein ATHB6 is a target of the protein phosphatase ABI1 and regulates hormone responses in Arabidopsis

    Axel Himmelbach;Thomas Hoffmann;Martin Leube;Beat Höhener

  • Genebank genomics highlights the diversity of a global barley collection

    Sara G Milner;Matthias Jost;Matthias Jost;Shin Taketa;Elena Rey Mazón

  • Evolution of the Grain Dispersal System in Barley

    Mohammad Pourkheirandish;Goetz Hensel;Benjamin Kilian;Natesan Senthil

  • Exome sequencing of geographically diverse barley landraces and wild relatives gives insights into environmental adaptation

    Joanne Russell;Martin Mascher;Ian K Dawson;Stylianos Kyriakidis

  • Anchoring and ordering NGS contig assemblies by population sequencing (POPSEQ)

    Martin Mascher;Gary J. Muehlbauer;Daniel S. Rokhsar;Daniel S. Rokhsar;Jarrod Chapman

  • Integration of Abscisic Acid Signalling into Plant Responses

    A. Christmann;D. Moes;A. Himmelbach;Y. Yang

  • Barley whole exome capture: a tool for genomic research in the genus Hordeum and beyond.

    Martin Mascher;Todd A. Richmond;Daniel J. Gerhardt;Axel Himmelbach

  • CRISPR-Cas9 targeted mutagenesis leads to simultaneous modification of different homoeologous gene copies in polyploid oilseed rape (Brassica napus)

    Janina Braatz;Hans Joachim Harloff;Martin Mascher;Nils Stein

  • The Multigene Family Encoding Germin-Like Proteins of Barley. Regulation and Function in Basal Host Resistance

    Grit Zimmermann;Helmut Bäumlein;Hans-Peter Mock;Axel Himmelbach

  • A set of modular binary vectors for transformation of cereals.

    Axel Himmelbach;Uwe Zierold;Götz Hensel;Jan Riechen

  • TRITEX: chromosome-scale sequence assembly of Triticeae genomes with open-source tools

    Cécile Monat;Sudharsan Padmarasu;Thomas Lux;Thomas Wicker

  • A Plant Viral “Reinitiation” Factor Interacts with the Host Translational Machinery

    Hyun Sook Park;Axel Himmelbach;Karen S. Browning;Thomas Hohn

Frequent Co-Authors

Nils Stein
Nils Stein University of Western Australia
Martin Mascher
Martin Mascher Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research
Robbie Waugh
Robbie Waugh James Hutton Institute
Uwe Scholz
Uwe Scholz Leibniz Association
Patrick Schweizer
Patrick Schweizer Leibniz Association
Klaus F. X. Mayer
Klaus F. X. Mayer Technical University of Munich
Gary J. Muehlbauer
Gary J. Muehlbauer University of Minnesota
Jochen Kumlehn
Jochen Kumlehn Leibniz Association
Burkhard Steuernagel
Burkhard Steuernagel John Innes Centre
Thorsten Schnurbusch
Thorsten Schnurbusch Leibniz Association

If you think any of the details on this page are incorrect, let us know.

Report an issue

We appreciate your kind effort to assist us to improve this page, it would be helpful providing us with as much detail as possible in the text box below:

Related Online Degrees & Career Pathways

Exploring Biology and Biochemistry can open doors to a variety of healthcare and scientific careers, many of which now have flexible online study routes. For those interested in quickly launching their healthcare journey, options like online medical assisting classes offer convenient training and financial aid opportunities.

If you're looking to take the next step from medical assisting, a medical assistant to lpn bridge program allows you to advance your clinical skills and qualify for higher-responsibility roles, all through online coursework.

For those aiming for a more research-focused or academic path, an accelerated biology degree can fast-track your progression into biochemistry, lab research, or graduate studies.

Nursing is another popular pathway. An asn program online offers the foundation needed to become a registered nurse, often with flexible options suited for busy schedules.

These online degree and certificate programs are excellent for those seeking adaptable routes into biology, biochemistry, and related healthcare careers.

Best Scientists Citing Axel Himmelbach

Trending Scientists

Recently Published Articles