Joseph A. Baur

Joseph A. Baur, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor of Physiology at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania. His research is centered within the Department of Physiology and the Institute for Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism, where he leads the Baur Lab focused on aging biology and metabolic regulation.

Dr. Baur's research primarily investigates the fundamental mechanisms of aging, with a special emphasis on nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) metabolism and its role in age-related diseases. His laboratory employs genetic models, isotopic labeling strategies, and metabolomics to probe NAD synthesis pathways and the effects of supplemental NAD precursors. A key area of investigation is understanding how caloric restriction delays aging and how rapamycin affects metabolism, particularly its impact on lipid and glucose homeostasis. His work has significant implications for understanding and potentially treating age-related conditions including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, and neurodegenerative disorders.

Analysis of Dr. Baur's recent publications reveals a strong focus on NAD metabolism across multiple organ systems, with particular attention to cardiac function, brain metabolism, and mitochondrial dynamics. His research demonstrates how NAD depletion contributes to age-related pathologies and how NAD precursors might serve as therapeutic interventions. The work spans from basic molecular mechanisms to translational applications in disease models.

Dr. Baur has made significant contributions to our understanding of how NAD compartmentalization influences fuel selection and circadian variations in metabolism, particularly within mitochondria. His research has helped establish connections between NAD metabolism, aging, and multiple disease states, positioning his work at the forefront of geroscience.

The Baur Lab is actively engaged in multiple collaborative projects investigating NAD metabolism in various contexts, including cardiac function, brain energetics, immune cell regulation, and metabolic diseases. Their research continues to uncover novel mechanisms by which NAD homeostasis influences healthspan and disease progression.