Hibiki Kawamata Fujita, Ph.D.

I have a long-lasting interest in pathogenic mechanisms of ALS, particularly from the angle of mitochondrial involvement (bioenergetic impairments, calcium dysregulation, protein import defects). Genetic mutations in CHCHD10, a mitochondrial protein with still unknown function, is associated with familial ALS and mitochondrial myopathies. CHCHD10 mutations have become a recent focus of our laboratory. I am especially interested in the processes of mutant protein aggregation and its downstream metabolic effects, as well as therapies to tackle these problems through metabolic and pharmaceutical interventions.