Genomic Instability DNA metabolism DNA Damage Molecular Oncology Stem cells DNA replication Gene expression Xenopus system

'FEBS Communications' posts general items from the FEBS Network Team as well as news on FEBS events and other activities.

I am Dr. Attaur Rahman from Pakistan, did my bachelor as Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) (Gold Medalist), MPhil in Veterinary Physiology and Biochemistry (Gold Medalist) from Sindh Agriculture University (SAU) Tandojam Pakistan. I have earned my PhD in Medical Sciences specialized in Cardiovascular Physiology from the Centre for Cardiovascular Genomics and Medicine (CCGM), Department of Medicine and Therapeutics (MEDT), Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), Hong Kong. Currently, I am perusing my Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (Postdoc) training in Mitochondrial Biology in CCGM, MEDT, CU Medicine at the CUHK Hong Kong. I am a cardiovascular physiologist and mitochondrial biologist, and my research is focused on inter mitochondrial communication (IMC) and innovative role of mitochondrial dynamic (MD) and mitochondrial nanotunnels (MNTs) in mediating cardioprotection against Ischemia Reperfusion Injury (IRI)-induced ST Segment Elevated Myocardial Infarction (IRI-STEMI). I am keenly interested in altered cardiac mitochondrial morphology (shape, size, positioning and motility) and novel compensatory physiological mechanisms of mitochondrial nanotunneling in cardiomyocytes during the course of development of MI and genetic and pharmacological manipulation of MNTs to find out some therapeutic avenues. In addition, I am particularly interested in Intermitochondrial Communication (IMC), Mitochondrial Quality Control (MQC) mechanisms and Artificial Mitochondrial Transfer and Transplantation (AMTT) therapy including horizontal and vertical mitochondrial transfer in settings of cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative diseases (AD, PD, HD, ALS) and Tumor Microenvironment (TME). Besides this, I am also avidly interested in Assisted Reproductive Techniques (ART) particularly IVF, ICSI, ASFI, ET and Mitochondrial Replacement Therapy (MRT) for rare mitochondrial diseases.

My research interests focus on the roles mitochondria play in aspects of eukaryotic life, ranging from their origin, metabolism, biogenesis and role they play in cell death pathways. These are interrogated using biochemical, molecular biology, genetic and cell biology techniques. I incorporate these interests into classes I teach to provide an understanding of practical techniques and also the current literature in the field. I studied biochemistry at the University of Leeds, with an industrial placement at Astra Charnwood, followed by a PhD at the University of Bristol, supervised by Professor Andrew Halestrap, to characterise the molecular composition of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore, with support from MitoKor. My post-doctoral training on the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis supervised by Dr Doug Green was at the La Jolla Institute of Allergy and Immunology in San Diego, California and St Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. I then was an associate research scientist working in the laboratory of Professor Alexander Tzagoloff at Columbia University in New York to study biogenesis of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase in budding yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae. I held independent positions as assistant professor at the New York Institute of Technology in New York and Staffordshire University in Stoke-on-Trent where I continued my research and taught subjects related to biochemistry, cell biology, genetics and molecular biology. I am now a senior lecturer in biotechnology at Liverpool John Moores University.  I am a strong supporter of scientific communications and outreach to disseminate scientific developments and knowledge to a broader audience with the goal of increasing the general support of the scientific process. I also direct Biomed News, a free biomedical research literature discovery platform that uses machine learning.