He was born on March 26, 1932 in Moscow in the family of Sergey Nikolaevich Muromtsev and Vera Grigoryevna.

In 1954, he graduated from the Biology and Soil Faculty of Moscow State University with a degree in microbiology (mycology) and plant physiology. In 1955-1957, he studied at the graduate School of the Institute of Agricultural Microbiology. Then he worked in:

• Institute of Fertilizers and Agro-Soil Science of VASKHNIL (1958-1960, Senior researcher);
• VASHNIL Institute of Phytopathology (1960-1970, Head of the laboratory, Deputy Director for Scientific Work);
• Institute of Agricultural Microbiology (1970-1973, Director);
• Presidium of the VASHNIL (1973-1979, Chief Scientific Secretary);
• Institute of Applied Molecular Biology and Genetics (1979-1987, Head of the Laboratory and Director);
• Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology (1987-1999, Director).

In 1963, he defended his dissertation for the degree of Doctor of Biological Sciences on the topic "Biological synthesis of gibberellins".

Vice-President of the All-Russian Society of Plant Physiologists. Member of the Biotechnology Academy and the New York Academy of Sciences, the European and American Societies of Plant Physiology.

He lived in Moscow in Maly Kozikhinsky Lane, 8; on Chkalov Street, 48/48; Leninsky Prospekt, 3; Shukhov Street, 18.

He died on March 23, 1999 in Moscow. He was buried at the Novodevichy cemetery next to his father (8th precinct, 6th row).

Awards and achievements

• He was awarded the Orders of the Red Banner of Labor (1979) and the Badge of Honor (1966), as well as medals.
• Laureate of the USSR Council of Ministers Award (1985).
• Author of more than 200 scientific papers, some of which have been published abroad.
• He has received 15 copyright certificates and patents for inventions.