Dr. Daniel Foster

About Dr. Daniel Foster

Dr. Daniel Foster directs the peptide biochemistry laboratory at Harvard Medical School, where he investigates how mitochondria-derived peptides regulate cellular energy metabolism. His work on MOTS-c and humanin has opened new therapeutic avenues for metabolic syndrome and exercise mimetics.

A pioneer in mitochondrial peptide research, Dr. Foster has published over 80 peer-reviewed articles on MOTS-c signaling and its therapeutic potential for metabolic disorders.

Core Expertise

Certifications & Qualifications

• Ph.D. Biochemistry, Harvard Medical School
• Harvard Stem Cell Institute Affiliate
• American Chemical Society Member
• USP Peptide Expert Committee

Research Projects

• MOTS-c mitochondrial bioenergetics in skeletal muscle models
• Peptide-mediated AMPK activation screening platform
• Exercise-mimetic peptide library design and SAR optimization

Key Lessons from the Laboratory

During a mitochondrial import assay, Dr. Foster discovered that MOTS-c translocation was temperature-dependent — a finding that reshaped his lab's entire peptide trafficking protocol and is now standard practice across US peptide research facilities.