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Matthew Potthoff, PhD

Contact Information

Office: 3322 PBDB 
Phone: 319-384-4438 
Faculty Profile


Brief description of current research:

Obesity and insulin resistance are major contributors to the epidemic of metabolic diseases including dyslipidemia, hypertension and type 2 diabetes. My research is focused on the physiological mechanisms that regulate metabolic homeostasis and insulin sensitivity. We are specifically interested in unraveling hepatic pathways that govern systemic energy balance and glucose homeostasis in hopes of identifying a new therapeutic to treat obesity and metabolic disease. This has led me to study the diverse functions of the endocrine hormone fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) which is produced in the liver during nutritional deprivation and surfeit. Utilizing novel transgenic mouse models, classical pharmacological methodologies, and state-of-the-art tracer techniques we have uncovered novel mechanisms regulating insulin sensitivity that could lead to new treatments for cardiovascular and metabolic disease.

3 most influential diabetes/obesity/metabolism publications:

  • Markan, KR, Naber, MC, Ameka, MK, Anderegg, MD, Mangelsdorf, DJ, Kliewer, SA, Mohammadi, M, Potthoff, MJ: Circulating FGF21 is Liver Derived and Enhances Glucose Uptake During Refeeding and Overfeeding.  Diabetes. 63(12):4057-4063, 2014.  PMCID: PMC4238010 
  • von Holstein-Rathlou, S, BonDurant, LD, Peltekian, L, Naber, MC, Yin, TC, Claflin, KE, Ibarra Urizar, A, Madsen, AN, Ratner, C, Holst, B, Karstoft, K, Vandenbeuch, A, Anderson, CB, Cassell, MD, Thompson, AP, Solomon, TP, Rahmouni, K, Kinnamon, SC, Pieper, AA, Gillum, MP, and Potthoff, MJ.  FGF21 Mediates Endocrine Control of Simple Sugar Intake and Sweet Taste Preference by the Liver. Cell Metabolism. Feb. 9;23(2):335-343, 2016.
  • BonDurant LD, Ameka M, Naber MC, Markan KR, Idiga S, Ornitz DM, Potthoff MJ. FGF21 Regulates Metabolism through Adipose-Dependent and -Independent Mechanisms. Cell Metabolism. Apr 4;25(4):935-944.e4, 2017.