Wolfgang Fischer

Senior Staff Scientist
Clayton Foundation Laboratories fo Peptide Biology

Research in Dr. Fischer’s laboratory is conducted in two major areas, the functional analysis of growth factor signaling and the characterization of proteins by mass spectrometry. The investigation of growth factors focuses on activin, a member of the TGF- b superfamily of growth and differentiation factors. The aim of the investigation is a detailed understanding of the events that lead to specificity of receptor binding and signal transduction.

In addition to his research projects, Dr. Fischer directs the Vincent J. Coates Foundation Center for Mass Spectrometry at the Salk Institute. The Center employs state-of-the-art mass spectrometry to identify proteins involved in biological processes. Besides protein identification, the characterization of posttranslational modifications is a major research focus.

Education

• Ph.D., Biochemistry, RWTH Aachen, Germany
• Postdoctoral Fellow, The Salk Institute, La Jolla

Awards and Honors

• Ph.D. Fellowship, German National Merit Foundation
• Borchers Medal, RWTH Aachen
• Postdoctoral Fellowship, Boehringer Ingelheim Foundation

Selected Publications

• Low W, Kang J, DiGruccio M, Kirby D, Perrin M, Fischer WH: MALDI-MS Analysis of Peptides Modified with Photolabile Arylazido Groups. J. Am. Soc. Mass Spectrom. 2004, 15:1156-1160.
• Harrison CA, Gray PC, Fischer WH, Donaldson C, Choe S, Vale W: An activin mutant with disrupted ALK4 binding blocks signaling via type II receptors. J Biol Chem 2004, 279:28036-28044.
• Cumming RC, Andon NL, Haynes PA, Park M, Fischer WH, Schubert D: Protein Disulfide Bond Formation in the Cytoplasm during Oxidative Stress. J Biol Chem 2004, 279:21749-21758.
• Fischer WH, Park M, Donaldson C, Wiater E, Vaughan J, Bilezikjian LM, Vale W: Residues in the C-terminal region of activin A determine specificity for follistatin and type II receptor binding. J. Endocrinol. 2003, 176:61-68.