World's Best Scientists 2026 revealed!
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Best Scientists
2025
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Biology and Biochemistry
Switzerland
2026

D-Index & Metrics

Best Scientists

D-Index
195
Citations
144174
World Ranking
350
National Ranking
3

Biology and Biochemistry

D-Index
200
Citations
151839
World Ranking
33
National Ranking
2

Medicine

D-Index
200
Citations
151911
World Ranking
184
National Ranking
1

Research.com Recognitions

  • 2026 - Research.com Biology and Biochemistry in Switzerland Leader Award
  • 2026 - Research.com Medicine in Switzerland Leader Award
  • 2025 - Research.com Best Scientists Award
  • 2025 - Research.com Biology and Biochemistry in Switzerland Leader Award
  • 2025 - Research.com Medicine in Switzerland Leader Award
  • 2023 - Research.com Biology and Biochemistry in Switzerland Leader Award
  • 2023 - Research.com Medicine in Switzerland Leader Award
  • 2022 - Research.com Biology and Biochemistry in Switzerland Leader Award
  • 2022 - Research.com Medicine in Switzerland Leader Award
  • Member of the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO)
  • Member of the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO)
  • Member of the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO)
  • Member of the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO)
  • Member of the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO)
  • Member of the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO)

Overview

Johan Auwerx is affiliated with the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne in Switzerland. Their research spans multiple fields with a primary focus on Medicine and Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology. Within these broad disciplines, Auwerx's work addresses subfields including Molecular Biology, Physiology, Epidemiology, Geriatrics and Gerontology, and Genetics.

Their main topics of investigation include Adipose Tissue and Metabolism, Mitochondrial Function and Pathology, Sirtuins and Resveratrol in Medicine, Genetics, Aging, and Longevity in Model Organisms, Autophagy in Disease and Therapy, Liver Disease Diagnosis and Treatment, and Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Disease.

Auwerx has contributed to numerous publications, prominently appearing in venues such as bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Nature Metabolism, Nature Aging, Nature Communications, and eLife.

Some notable recent papers include:

  • NAD+ homeostasis in health and disease, 2020, Nature Metabolism
  • Mitophagy in human health, ageing and disease, 2023, Nature Metabolism
  • Impact of the Natural Compound Urolithin A on Health, Disease, and Aging, 2021, Trends in Molecular Medicine
  • Embracing cancer complexity: Hallmarks of systemic disease, 2024, Cell
  • Inhibition of mitophagy drives macrophage activation and antibacterial defense during sepsis, 2020, Journal of Clinical Investigation

Frequent co-authors in Auwerx's work include Maroun Bou Sleiman, Xiaoxu Li, Tanes Lima, Giorgia Benegiamo, and Kristina Schoonjans, reflecting collaboration across various research projects.

Auwerx has been recognized as a Member of the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO), an affiliation signifying involvement in advanced molecular biology research communities.

Best Publications

  • Resveratrol improves mitochondrial function and protects against metabolic disease by activating SIRT1 and PGC-1alpha.

    Marie Lagouge;Carmen Argmann;Zachary Gerhart-Hines;Hamid Meziane

  • AMPK regulates energy expenditure by modulating NAD + metabolism and SIRT1 activity

    Carles Cantó;Zachary Gerhart-Hines;Jerome N. Feige;Marie Lagouge

  • Bile acids induce energy expenditure by promoting intracellular thyroid hormone activation

    Mitsuhiro Watanabe;Sander M. Houten;Chikage Mataki;Marcelo A. Christoffolete

  • Mechanism of Action of Fibrates on Lipid and Lipoprotein Metabolism

    Bart Staels;Jean Dallongeville;Johan Auwerx;Kristina Schoonjans

  • Sirtuins as regulators of metabolism and healthspan

    Riekelt H. Houtkooper;Eija Pirinen;Eija Pirinen;Johan Auwerx

  • TGR5-Mediated Bile Acid Sensing Controls Glucose Homeostasis

    Charles W. Thomas;Antimo Gioiello;Lilia G Noriega;Lilia G Noriega;Axelle Strehle

  • Absence of S6K1 protects against age- and diet-induced obesity while enhancing insulin sensitivity

    Sung Hee Um;Francesca Frigerio;Mitsuhiro Watanabe;Frédéric Picard

  • A Pro12Ala substitution in PPARgamma2 associated with decreased receptor activity, lower body mass index and improved insulin sensitivity.

    Samir S. Deeb;Lluis Fajas;Masami Nemoto;Jussi Pihlajamäki

  • Molecular basis for feedback regulation of bile acid synthesis by nuclear receptors.

    Timothy T. Lu;Makoto Makishima;Joyce J. Repa;Kristina Schoonjans

  • PGC-1alpha, SIRT1 and AMPK, an energy sensing network that controls energy expenditure.

    Carles Cantó;Johan Auwerx

  • The organization, promoter analysis, and expression of the human PPARgamma gene.

    Lluis Fajas;Didier Auboeuf;Eric Raspé;Kristina Schoonjans

  • Role of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) in mediating the effects of fibrates and fatty acids on gene expression.

    Kristina Schoonjans;Bart Staels;Johan Auwerx

  • Targeting bile-acid signalling for metabolic diseases

    Charles Thomas;Roberto Pellicciari;Mark Pruzanski;Johan Auwerx

  • Sirt5 is a NAD-dependent protein lysine demalonylase and desuccinylase.

    Jintang Du;Yeyun Zhou;Xiaoyang Su;Jiu Jiu Yu

  • PPARalpha and PPARgamma activators direct a distinct tissue-specific transcriptional response via a PPRE in the lipoprotein lipase gene

    K. Schoonjans;J. Peinado-Onsurbe;A. M. Lefebvre;R. A. Heyman

  • Transient increase in obese gene expression after food intake or insulin administration.

    R Saladin;P De Vos;M Guerre-Millo;A Leturque

  • Bile acids lower triglyceride levels via a pathway involving FXR, SHP, and SREBP-1c.

    Mitsuhiro Watanabe;Sander M. Houten;Li Wang;Antonio Moschetta

  • NAD(+) Metabolism and the Control of Energy Homeostasis: A Balancing Act between Mitochondria and the Nucleus.

    Carles Cantó;Keir J. Menzies;Johan Auwerx

  • Regulation of PGC-1α, a nodal regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis

    Pablo J Fernandez-Marcos;Johan Auwerx

  • Calorie Restriction-like Effects of 30 Days of Resveratrol Supplementation on Energy Metabolism and Metabolic Profile in Obese Humans

    Silvie Timmers;Ellen Konings;Lena Bilet;Riekelt H. Houtkooper

Frequent Co-Authors

Kristina Schoonjans
Kristina Schoonjans École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
Bart Staels
Bart Staels University of Lille
Carles Cantó
Carles Cantó Nestlé (Switzerland)
Riekelt H. Houtkooper
Riekelt H. Houtkooper University of Amsterdam
Lluis Fajas
Lluis Fajas University of Lausanne
Samir S. Deeb
Samir S. Deeb University of Washington
Sander M. Houten
Sander M. Houten Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Robert W. Williams
Robert W. Williams University of Tennessee Health Science Center
Jean-Charles Fruchart
Jean-Charles Fruchart Institut Pasteur
Martin A. M. Gijs
Martin A. M. Gijs École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne

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