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Michael J. Wolfgang, Ph.D.

Professor of Biological Chemistry

Research Interests

Metabolic enzymes in neurons; Metabolites; Obesity; Metabolism; Diabetes ...read more

Background

Dr. Michael Wolfgang is a professor of biological chemistry at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Dr. Wolfgang's laboratory studies the role and regulation of cellular and organismal metabolism. The research in the Wolfgang laboratory utilizes biochemistry and molecular genetics to understand the molecular mechanisms used to sense and respond to nutritional/metabolic cues. They are particularly interested in deciphering the roles of unexplored metabolic enzymes/pathways and determining novel roles of cannonical metabolic pathways in under-explored cells and tissues.

Dr. Wolfgang received his undergraduate degree in animal sciences from the University of Illinois-Urbana/Champaign. He earned his Ph.D. in endocrinology and reproductive physiology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He started his postdoctoral training in biochemistry at Yale University School of Medicine and completed it at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Dr. Wolfgang joined the Johns Hopkins faculty in 2008.

Titles

Professor of Biological Chemistry
Joint Appointment in Medicine
Professor of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences

Departments / Divisions

Centers & Institutes

Education

Degrees

B.S.; University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign) (Illinois) (1998)
Ph.D.; University of Wisconsin (Madison) (Wisconsin) (2002)

Additional Training

Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 2004, Postdoctoral training, Biochemistry; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 2008, Postdoctoral training, Biochemistry

Research & Publications

Research Summary

Dr. Wolfgang's laboratory studies the role and regulation of cellular and organismal metabolism. The research in the Wolfgang laboratory utilizes biochemistry and molecular genetics to understand the molecular mechanisms used to sense and respond to nutritional/metabolic cues. They are particularly interested in deciphering the roles of unexplored metabolic enzymes/pathways and determining novel roles of cannonical metabolic pathways in under-explored cells and tissues.

Selected Publications

Selen ES, Choi J, Wolfgang MJ. "Discordant hepatic fatty acid oxidation and triglyceride hydrolysis leads to liver disease." JCI Insight 2021; 34:108869

Bowman CE, Selen Alpergin ES, Cavagnini K, Smith DM, Scafidi S, Wolfgang MJ. "Maternal lipid metabolism directs fetal liver programming following nutrient stress." Cell Reports 2019; 29:1299-1310

Lee J, Choi J, Selen Alpergin ES, Zhao L, Hartung T, Scafidi S, Riddle RC, Wolfgang MJ. "Loss of hepatic mitochondrial long chain fatty acid oxidation confers resistance to diet-induced obesity and glucose intolerance." Cell Reports 2017; 20:655-667

Bowman CE, Rodriguez S,Selen-Alpergin E, Acoba MG, Zhao L, Hartung T, Claypool SM, Watkins PA, Wolfgang MJ. "The mammalian malonyl-CoA synthetase ACSF3 is required for mitochondrial protein malonylation and metabolic efficiency." Cell Chemical Biology 2017; 24:673-684

Lee J, Choi J, Scafidi S, Wolfgang MJ. "Hepatic fatty acid oxidation restrains systemic catabolism during starvation." Cell Reports 2016: 16: 201-212

Bowman CE, Zhao L, Hartung T, Wolfgang MJ. "Requirement for the mitochondrial pyruvate carrier in mammalian development revealed by a hypomorphic allelic series." Mol Cell Biol 2016; 36(15):2089-2104

Lee J, Choi J, Aja S, Scafidi S, Wolfgang MJ. "Loss of adipose fatty acid oxidation does not potentiate obesity at thermoneutrality." Cell Reports 2016; 14:1308-1316

Nomura M, Liu J, Rovira IL, Gonzalez-Hurtado E, Lee J, Wolfgang MJ*, Finkel T.* "The role of fatty acid oxidation in macrophage polarization." Nature Immunology 2016; 17(3): 216-217. (*Co-corresponding authors)

Lee J, Ellis JM, Wolfgang MJ. "Adipose fatty acid oxidation is required for thermogenesis and potentiates oxidative stress induced inflammation." Cell Reports 2015; 10(2): 266-279

Ellis JM, Wong GW, Wolfgang MJ. “Acyl Coenzyme A Thioesterase 7 regulates neuronal fatty acid metabolism to prevent neurotoxicity.” Mol Cell Biol. 2013; 33(9) 1869-1882

Contact for Research Inquiries

855 N. Wolfe Street
Rangos 475
Baltimore, MD 21205 map
Phone: 443-287-7680
Fax: 410-614-8033

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Academic Affiliations & Courses

Graduate Program Affiliation

Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Biology Graduate Program

Biological Chemistry Graduate Program

Pharmacology Graduate Program

Activities & Honors

Honors

National Scientist Development Award, American Heart Association , 2009 - 2013
Daniel Nathans Young Investigator Research Award, 2008
Johns Hopkins University Catalyst Award, Johns Hopkins University, 2016 - 2016
LaVell M. Henderson Lectureship, University of Minnesota

Memberships

American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
American Diabetes Association

Patient Ratings & Comments

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