Mitochondrial transfer from glial cells to neurons confers protection against peripheral neuropathy
We are pleased to announce that Dr. Ru-Rong Ji from Duke University School of Medicine, USA will join Targeting Mitochondria 2026 as a speaker and give a presentation entitled "Mitochondrial transfer from glial cells to neurons confers protection against peripheral neuropathy".
About the presentation:
In this talk, Dr. Ji will present evidence that satellite glial cells (SGCs), which tightly envelop DRG neuronal cell bodies, can supply mitochondria to sensory neurons in part through tunneling nanotubes (TNTs). Dr. Ji will show both in vitro and in vivo evidence that SGCs form TNTs with sensory neurons through SGC-derived myosin-10 (MYO10). Scanning and transmission electron microscopy revealed TNT-like ultrastructures between SGCs and sensory neurons in both mouse and human DRG. Blocking mitochondrial transfer in naïve animals resulted in nerve degeneration and neuropathic pain.
Dr. Ji is the William Maixner Professor of Anesthesiology and Director of the Center for Translational Pain Medicine at Duke University Medical Center. He is also Professor of Neurobiology, Cell Biology, and Immunology. He received his PhD from the Shanghai Institute of Physiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and completed postdoctoral training at Peking University, the Karolinska Institute, and Johns Hopkins University. Prior to joining Duke University, Dr. Ji served on the faculty of Harvard Medical School for more than a decade.
Dr. Ji has authored over 270 publications in leading scientific journals. Over the past eight years, he has been recognized by Clarivate as a Highly Cited Researcher, with an H-index of 125 on Google Scholar. He has mentored more than 100 scientists, many of whom now lead independent research laboratories worldwide.
