Iowa State University · PhysiologySun Mitophagy Lab
Nuo Sun · Ames, Iowa
Research Focus
Dr. Nuo Sun's lab focuses on understanding how mitochondrial health affects heart function as we age. They study processes called mitophagy and neddylation to see how the heart can maintain good mitochondrial quality and how these processes can be targeted for new treatments for heart diseases, particularly in regard to aging and metabolic changes. By using innovative mouse models and advanced genetic techniques, the lab aims to discover new insights into heart health and dysfunction.
mitophagyneddylationcardiac agingheart failuresubstrate utilizationmitochondrial quality controlcardiomyocytesmetabolismage-related diseases
Research Aims
5AIM 01Investigate the mechanisms by which inhibiting neddylation regulates mitophagy in cardiomyocytes.
AIM 02Assess the therapeutic potential of restoring mitophagy in treating age-related cardiac dysfunction.
AIM 03Determine the impact of altered myocardial substrate utilization on cardiac mitophagy.
AIM 04Examine the role of USP30 modulation in cardiac function and mitophagy restoration.
AIM 05Explore the molecular pathways connecting mitophagy with mitochondrial metabolism in heart disease.
Skills the Lab Values
cell culturemouse modelsgenetic manipulationWestern blottinghigh-content imagingpharmacological assaysRNA sequencingPCRmicroscopy
Output against the department
Publications935top 1% of dept.3rd of 286
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations21ktop 12% of dept.34th of 286
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.