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Michael W. Wolfe, Ph.D.

Michael Wolfe portrait
Associate Professor, Cell Biology and Physiology
mwolfe2@kumc.edu

Professional Background

Dr. Wolfe is an Associate Professor at the University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC) in the Department of Cell Biology andamp; Physiology. He received his B.S. at West Virginia University (1983), and his M.S. (1987) and Ph.D. (1990) from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He then completed postdoctoral training at Case Western Reserve University before joining KUMC in 1994.Dr. Wolfe served as Research Integrity Officer for KUMC from 2012 to 2023.

Education and Training
  • BS, Animal Science, West Virginia University
  • MS, Animal Science, University of Nebraska
  • PhD, Animal Science, University of Nebraska
  • Post Doctoral Fellowship, Molecular Biology, Case Western Reserve University

Research

Overview

Reproduction is exquisitely controlled through hormonal regulation within the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. Target tissues respond to hormonal stimulation, alter their function, and typically secrete factors that feedback to fine tune regulation within the axis. Our laboratory has studied function at all three levels as well as the placenta. These studies have spanned from hormonal regulation of tissues/cells, identifying associated intracellular signaling pathways, investigating changes to cellular function/differentiation, to elucidating biologically relevant changes in gene transcription.

Current studies focus on estrogen receptor beta (ESR2) and the role it plays in regulating the reproductive axis with a specific emphasis on its function within the ovary. Loss of ESR2 leads to infertility in female rats and mice due to defective follicle maturation and ovulation. Interestingly, we have found that ovarian follicles express the neuropeptide kisspeptin and that ESR2 is critical for its expression. Kisspeptin is well known for its role in regulating reproduction at the level of the hypothalamus; however, little is known regarding its function in ovarian follicles.

Through a collaboration with an investigator in the KUMC Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, we are also investigating kisspeptin in patients undergoing treatment for issues associated with infertility. These studies are assessing kisspeptin in follicles following oocyte retrieval as well as in circulation during early pregnancy.

Publications