Edward Chouchani, PhD

Defining the functional landscape of protein redox regulation during aging

Since their identification in tissues nearly 70 years ago, redox active metabolites (reactive oxygen species and related molecules) have been considered as undesirable and unregulated byproducts of dysfunctional metabolism that contribute to the aging process by damaging the cell. Dr. Chouchani’s work has contributed to a fundamental reconsideration of this concept. His lab has shown that regulated production of reactive oxygen species is an essential signal that controls a diverse range of physiological adaptations. Most significantly, Dr. Chouchani’s lab has now developed a new technology to systematically map the signaling targets of redox active metabolites in living tissues for the first time. This has allowed his lab to begin to establish first general principles for this mode of biological and physiological regulation, and its relationship with aging. With this work, they seek to systematically define the functional targets of reactive oxygen species that contribute to longevity and age.