Gokhan Hotamisligil, MD, PhD

Biography

Dr. Hotamisligil's research focuses on the molecular and genetic basis of common and complex metabolic diseases, examining the identity and molecular mechanisms of adaptive response systems in health and disease with a focus on metabolism. He is an internationally recognized leader with many seminal contributions including discoveries that defined inflammatory origins of obesity and diabetes which are the pillars of the field of immunometabolism. His research group identified the role of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) as a key locus of metabolic and immunometabolic adaptation, identified key mechanisms that relate to ER's metabolic functions, such as the most recent discovery of ER-bound Nrf1 as a guardian of metabolism, and identified molecules that can target ER, some of which are in clinical trials. Dr. Hotamisligil's studies also led to the identification of new lipid and peptide hormones and their mechanisms of action. Dr. Hotamisligil pursues interdisciplinary paths and collaborations toward the development of novel preventive and therapeutic strategies against chronic metabolic and inflammatory diseases. These programs have driven several drug development platforms, some currently in clinical trials. His published work has resulted in >200 scientific manuscripts which have received >70,000 citations with an h factor>100 and resulted in multiple patents.