Wilma A. Hofmann PhD

Wilma Hofmann

Wilma A. Hofmann
PhD

Associate Professor

Department of Physiology and Biophysics

Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences


Specialty/Research Focus

Cancer Treatment and Prevention; Cytoskeleton and cell motility; Eukaryotic Pathogenesis; Gene Expression; Metabolism; Molecular and Cellular Biology; Molecular Basis of Disease; Molecular genetics; Pathophysiology; Pathophysiology; Protein Function and Structure; Transcription - Gene; Transcription and Translation; Transcription Factors

Contact Information
Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
Physiology and Biophysics, Room# 4132
955 Main Street
Buffalo, New York 14203-1121
Phone: (716) 829-3290
whofmann@buffalo.edu



Professional Summary:

In my laboratory, we are interested in structural components of the cell, their role in establishing and regulating cellular functions, and how this regulation translates into physiological consequences in health and disease.
We have two major focus areas: 1) The role of cytoskeletal elements in prostate cancer development and progression and 2) The role of nucleoskeletal elements in establishing and maintaining nuclear structure and function.

1) The majority of death from cancer is caused by metastasis, the spreading of cancer cells from the site of a primary tumor to other body parts. We use a combination of biochemical, cell biological, physiological, and translational approaches to elucidate the mechanisms that are involved in the acquisition of metastatic phenotypes. Specifically, we focus on the role that myosins play in this process. We are also interested in how dietary fats can contribute to the development of metastatic phenotypes in prostate cancer cells.

2) Aberrations in nuclear structure and dynamics are the underlying cause of diseases ranging from cancer to premature aging. We are interested in the role of nuclear actin and myosins in regulating dynamic nuclear processes such as nucleolar assembly and functions in health and disease.

Education and Training:

  • PhD, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Wuerzburg (2002)
  • MS, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Wuerzburg (1999)

Employment:

  • Associate Professor, Physiology and Biophysics, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (2015-present)
  • Assistant Professor, Physiology and Biophysics, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (2008–2015)
  • Research Assistant Professor, Physiology and Biophysics, University of Illinois at Chicago School of Medicine (2005–2008)
  • Postdoctoral Research Associate, Physiology and Biophysics, University of Illinois at Chicago School of Medicine (2002–2005)

Grants and Sponsored Research:

  • August 2023–July 2028
    Therapeutic targeting of master regulators in non-canonical AR driven advanced lethal prostate cancers
    NIH/NCI
    Role: Co-Investigator
  • August 2017–July 2022
    Role of myosin IC in prostate cancer metastasis
    NIH/NCI
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $478,500
  • September 2014–September 2017
    Defining the link between obesity and aggressive prostate cancer
    DoD CDMRP
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $598,000
  • September 2012–September 2015
    The Role of a Novel Myosin Isoform in Prostate Cancer
    DoD CDMRP
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $340,070

Journal Articles:

See all (22 more)

Books and Book Chapters:

  • Hofmann WA and de Lanerolle P. (2006) Gene Expression and Regulation. In: Actin, Actin-Related Proteins and Actin-Binding Proteins in Transcriptional control. Springer

Professional Memberships:

  • American Association of Cell Biology (2002–present)
  • German Society for Cell Biology (1999–present)

Presentations:

  • "MyoIC-A a new biomarker and potential treatment target for metastatic prostate cancer" Buffalo Cancer Consortium Seminar Series (2021)
  • "The role of fatty acids in prostate cancer metastasis." 2nd International Prostate Cancer Symposium (2016)
  • "Structure-function analysis of myosin IC proteins" Wenner-Gren Symposium “Nuclear Dynamics: Design (and) Principles” (2015)
  • "The Role of a Novel Myosin in Prostate Cancer Metastasis" 4th Congress on Cancer Science & Therapy (2014)
  • "Insights into Nuclear Myosin Regulation" 51st Annual Meeting of The American Society for Cell Biology, (2011)
  • "SUMO2 and 3: New Pieces in the Nuclear Actin Puzzle" 45th Annual Meeting of The Polish Biochemical Society (2010)
  • "SUMO2 and 3: New Pieces in the Nuclear Actin Puzzle" 48th Annual Meeting of The American Society for Cell Biology (2008)

Service Activities:

  • Faculty Mentoring Committee, Committee Member (2022–present)
  • Institutional Planning & Policy Domain Subcommittee, Committee Member (2022)
  • Topic Editor for Frontiers in Pharmacology; Topic: Cytoskeletal Components as Biomarkers and Targets for Anti-Cancer Therapy: How Treatment of the Cytoskeleton can Inhibit Tumor Progression; Topic Editor for Frontiers in Pharmacology (2021–present)
  • Faculty Council President (2021–2022)
  • UB Cancer Research Consortium Steering Committee; Steering Committee Member (2021–present)
  • Basic Science Representative to the Governing Board of the Faculty Practice (2020–2022)
  • Faculty Council President Elect (2020–2021)
  • Natural Sciences Interdisciplinary MS Program Committee, Committee Member (2019–2021)
  • PPBS Curriculum Development Committee, Member (2019–2020)
  • Physiology Graduate Program Admissions Committee, Committee Member (2019–present)
  • Biophysics Graduate Program Admissions Committee, Committee Member (2019–present)
  • Jacobs School Representative to the Faculty Senate; UB Faculty Senator (2018–2022)
  • Editorial Board Member, Scientific Reports (2018–present)
  • JSMBS Executive Committee, Faculty Council Representative (2018–present)
  • Diversity and Inclusion Advocate for the Department of Physiology and Biophysics (2018–present)
  • Departmental Seminar Committee, Committee Member (2018–present)
  • Student Appeals Committee, Committee Member (2018–present)
  • PPBS Steering Committee, Committee Member (2015–present)
  • PPBS Admissions Reviewer (2015–present)

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Contact Information

Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
Physiology and Biophysics, Room# 4132
955 Main Street
Buffalo, New York 14203-1121
Phone: (716) 829-3290
whofmann@buffalo.edu