Vincent Monnier obtained his medical degree and diploma in Chemistry from the University of Basel, Switzerland. From 1977-82, he did postdoctoral research on the Maillard reaction in vivo with Anthony Cerami, Ph.D. at Rockefeller University. In 1982, he joined the Department of Pathology where he did his residency in Clinical Pathology (1982-85) and was a Visiting Associate with Frances Arnold at Caltech in 2000. His research focuses on the structure and significance of protein modifications by advanced Maillard reaction and oxidation products in aging and age-related diseases, including diabetes, cataract and end stage renal disease.
Research areas include molecular mechanisms of protein aging, oxidative stress, complications of diabetes and aging, cataractogenesis, and microbial enzyme technology.
Research Information
Research Projects
The focus of our laboratory is to elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which the aging process leads to impairment of protein function. We are particularly interested in how aging and age-related diseases affect the structure and biological role of protein modifications by the Maillard reaction and reactive oxygen species. These reactions are dramatically accelerated in diabetes, end stage renal disease, atherosclerosis, and cataracts. The structure of the modified proteins is analyzed by mass-spectrometry, whereby particular emphasis is being placed on the structure of collagen crosslinks which increase with age and are responsible for the progressive stiffening of aging vessels. Using an approach based on molecular biology, we are seeking to find novel pharmacological agents that can prevent the modifications and their consequences, such as crosslinking and aggregation. Molecular approaches include the development of transgenic animal models of accelerated aging, e.g.by overexpression of the human vitamin C transporter into the lens, and knocking down glutathione synthesis, i.e. a key defense against aging.
Awards and Honors
Publications
Monnier VM, Sell DR, Gao X, Genuth SM, Lachin JM, Bebu I; DCCT/EDIC Research Group. Plasma advanced glycation end products and the subsequent risk of microvascular complications in type 1 diabetes in the DCCT/EDIC. BMJ Open Diabetes Res Care. 2022 Jan;10(1):e002667. doi: 10.1136. PMID: 35058313
Islam S, Do M, Frank B, Sell DR, Hom G, Wheeler S, Fujioka H, Fan X, Lampi KJ, Monnier VM. α-Crystallin chaperone mimetic drugs inhibit lens γ-crystallin aggregation: Potential role for cataract prevention. J Biol Chem. 2022 Aug 28;298(10):102417. doi: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102417. PMID: 36037967
Gao X, Gorenflo-M, Kaelber DCM, Monnier VM, Xu R. An AI based approach for the search of drugs that delay cataract progression in diabetes. Front Pharmacol. 2023 May 18;14:1181711. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1181711. eCollection 2023.
Wei Z, Hao C, Radeen KR, Srinivasagan R, JChen J, Lawrence MM, Hamrick MW, Monnier VM, Fan X Prevention of Age-related Truncation of gamma Glutamylcysteine Ligase Catalytic Subunit (GCLC) Delays Cataract Formation. Sci Adv. 2024 Apr 26;10(17):eadl1088. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.adl1088.