Surviving with minimal oxygen is a superpower many creatures wish they had, and one that naked mole-rats possess. These peculiar mammals, renowned for their hypoxia tolerance, have an effective way of coping with low oxygen levels: they slow down their metabolism. Hang Cheng, a recent PhD graduate, delved into the world of mitochondrial biology and hypoxia tolerance during his doctoral studies, focusing on naked mole-rats mitochondria.
Mitochondria, often known as the powerhouses of cells, play a crucial role in naked mole-rats' adaptation to low-oxygen environments. Hang examined the brain, liver, muscle, heart, and brown fat tissue of naked mole-rats to study how their mitochondria help them survive in environmental hypoxia. His research revealed that mitochondria not only produce energy but also play key roles in thermoregulation, neuronal signal transport, and in maintaining physical activity in hypoxic conditions. In short, mitochondria help the whole animal adaptively respond to fluctuations in oxygen availability.
Despite facing some challenges during his PhD journey, Hang’s perseverance paid off and he was able to accomplish his goals through hard work, clear milestones, and careful time management. Guided by his supervisor Professor Matthew Pamenter and thesis committee member Professor Mary-Ellen Harper, Hang presented a comprehensive picture of how mitochondria contribute to hypoxia tolerance in naked mole-rats. His excellent research earned him the prestigious Denis Vézina Faculty of Science Research Scholarship, awarded to a graduate student who has distinguished themself through their research, as well as the Canadian Society of Zoologists Cameron Award for the top doctoral thesis in zoology in Canada.
Now a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Pathology of the Yale School of Medicine, Hang is investigating some unanswered questions stemming from his doctoral research. One such question concerns what might be happening in the nuclei of naked mole-rat cells in low-oxygen environments, which would result in the observed impairment in their physiological functions. His investigations aim to uncover the genetic regulations underlying hypoxia tolerance, potentially offering new insights into cancer treatment strategies.
Throughout his academic journey, Hang received invaluable support from mentors and colleagues, including Dr. Daniel Munro (former Pamenter Lab postdoctoral fellow), Professor Ken Storey (Carleton University), and members of the uOttawa Biology department. He also had the enriching opportunity to conduct a two-month research stay at the University of Lyon as part of a France-Canada Research Fund grant, where he studied goldfish. Outside of research, Hang dedicated his time to volunteering as a mentor in the Biology department’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) committee. As an international student, he believes that volunteer work is a great way to learn, meet people and become involved in a new environment.
Read more: