[4] In 1980, Wahli became full professor and the director of the Institute of Animal Biology at the University of Lausanne where he completed several mandates, such as vice-rector for research, postgraduate and continuing education and founding director of the Center for Integrative Genomics.
[5][6][7] Wahli has a long-standing interest in nuclear receptors found within cell nuclei which are responsible for sensing steroid hormones, fatty acids and other lipophilic molecules.
Upon activation by these ligands, the receptors regulate the expression of specific genes, thereby controlling key biological processes, such embryonic development, homeostasis, and metabolism of the vertebrates.
[8] Since 1977, Wahli reported several discoveries related to the molecular mechanism of action of the estrogen receptor and then of the fatty acid-activated peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs),[9] for which he was the co-discoverer, in their functions of regulating lipid and glucose metabolism, inflammation, wound-healing, and cell differentiation processes.
[10] He underscored the potential of PPARs as drug targets for NAFLD that is often associated to metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes.