Speaker

Xuemei Tong

Time

2025.03.12 16:00-17:30

Abstract

Recent studies have revealed that pentose phosphates serve as pivotal cellular carbon sources. However, the regulatory mechanisms and significance for pentose catabolism remain to be elucidated. Our research focuses on deciphering the physiological roles and translational implications of pentose metabolism in major chronic diseases. Our findings include: 1) Pentose phosphates modulate mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation activity and genomic instability, primarily through transketolase (TKT)-driven nucleoside and nucleotide catabolism. 2) T cell function critically relies on pentose metabolism-regulated mitochondrial activity, epigenetic modifications, and nutrient uptake. 3) Obesity-associated hyperinsulinemia regulates pentose metabolic flux and T cell functional adaptation. 4)Dysregulated pentose metabolism impairs mitochondrial homeostasis, emerging as a common mechanism underlying cancer and metabolic syndrome. These findings reveal novel physiological functions of pentose metabolism, its intricate regulatory networks, and its profound implications in the pathogenesis and treatment of major chronic diseases, including cancer, metabolic syndrome, and autoimmune diseases.

Bio

Dr. Xuemei Tong received her Ph.D. in biochemistry from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in 2006. After completing postdoctoral training at University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Tong joined Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology at Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine as PI of laboratory of cell metabolism in 2010. From 2010 till now, Dr. Xuemei Tong published corresponding author papers in high-impact journals such as Cell Metabolism and Nature Metabolism, and obtained NSFC grants including the Distinguished Yong Scholars Fund (2025-2029), Key Program (2024-2028) and Excellent Young Scientists Fund (2013-2015). Dr. Xuemei Tong and her supervised students in Zhiyuan College have won multiple awards or honors.