Dr. Johan Auwerx is a preeminent leader in systems physiology and metabolic research at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne. He currently serves as Professor and holds the Nestlé Chair in Energy Metabolism while directing the Laboratory of Integrated Systems Physiology since his arrival at EPFL in 2008. With dual credentials as both a medical doctor and scientist, Dr. Auwerx has established himself as a distinguished figure bridging clinical medicine with fundamental biological research. His academic journey has positioned him at the forefront of metabolic research, where he has cultivated an internationally recognized laboratory dedicated to understanding the molecular mechanisms governing organismal metabolism across diverse biological models.
Dr. Auwerx's pioneering research has fundamentally advanced our understanding of mitochondrial function and its critical role in aging and metabolic diseases. His laboratory developed innovative cross-species multi-layered genetics and omics gene mapping strategies that have transformed how scientists study metabolic regulation from Arabidopsis thaliana to humans. His landmark 2016 Nature Medicine publication demonstrating that Urolithin A induces mitophagy, prolongs lifespan in C. elegans, and enhances muscle function in rodents has catalyzed significant translational research in age-related decline. With over 500 scientific publications and an h-index exceeding 110, his work has directly influenced the development of therapeutic approaches for metabolic disorders, with several drugs targeting pathways his laboratory elucidated now in clinical use.
Beyond his research contributions, Dr. Auwerx serves on the editorial boards of premier scientific journals including Cell, Cell Metabolism, and The EMBO Journal, shaping the direction of metabolic research globally. His laboratory continues to pioneer novel approaches to enhance mitochondrial quality control as a strategy to combat neuromuscular degeneration in aging and disease, with recent work exploring tetracycline-induced mitohormesis for disease tolerance against viral infections. As a highly cited researcher consistently recognized for scientific excellence, Dr. Auwerx maintains an active research program focused on translating fundamental discoveries into interventions that address the metabolic challenges of aging populations. His ongoing work promises to further illuminate the complex interplay between mitochondrial function, metabolism, and longevity, with potential applications for improving human healthspan worldwide.
