Staff Profile

I was a medical trainee from China and joined the Wellcome Centre for Mitochondrial Research at Newcastle University in 2015 to pursue a PhD with Dr Amy Reeve and Professor Sir Doug Turnbull. My main motivation stems from the patients I have encountered as a doctor and wanting to gain a further understanding into neurodegenerative diseases. My PhD project focused on the response of human substantia nigra neurons to mitochondrial dysfunction in Parkinson's and mitochondrial disease. I achieved my PhD in June 2019, and stayed in the Centre as a post-doctoral scientist to continue my research on mitochondrial dysfunction and neurodegeneration.

My research aims to offer deeper insight into these debilitating conditions and contribute to the development of new diagnostic markers and potential treatments.

In my current work, I leverage advanced technology to delve into the intricacies of mitochondrial function. I use high-plex imaging technology and imaging mass cytometry to profile mitochondrial proteins, a critical step in understanding the changes that occur during disease progression.

Another ongoing research involves studying mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation with Professor Gavin Hudson. By identifying markers in the early stages of disease, we hope to enhance early detection and intervention strategies, potentially slowing or halting disease progression.

Furthermore, I'm engaged in the development and use of cellular models to gain a deeper understanding of neurodegenerative diseases. I culture induced Pluripotent Stem Cell (iPSC)-derived dopaminergic neurons and astrocytes. These cellular models are used for studying disease mechanisms and for high-throughput drug screening.

Through these diverse research objectives, I aim to address the complex nature of mitochondrial pathologies in neurodegenerative diseases and contribute to our understanding and treatment.

• Articles

  • Vincent AE, Chen C, Gomes TB, Di Leo V, Laalo T, Pabis K, Capaldi R, Marusich MF, McDonald D, Filby A, Fuller A, Lehmann Urban D, Zierz S, Deschauer M, Turnbull D, Reeve AK, Lawless C. A stagewise response to mitochondrial dysfunction in mitochondrial DNA maintenance disorders. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta - Molecular Basis of Disease 2024, 1870(5), 167131.
  • Chen C, McDonald D, Blain A, Mossman E, Atkin K, Marusich MF, Capaldi R, Bone L, Smith A, Filby A, Erskine D, Russell O, Hudson G, Vincent AE, Reeve AK. Parkinson’s disease neurons exhibit alterations in mitochondrial quality control proteins. npj Parkinson's Disease 2023, 9, 120.
  • Smith LA, Chen C, Lax NZ, Taylor RW, Erskine D, McFarland R. Astrocytic pathology in Alpers’ syndrome. Acta Neuropathologica Communications 2023, (11), 86.
  • Yu X, Arden C, Berlinguer-Palmini R, Chen C, Bradshaw C, Smith AL, Whitehall J, White M, Anderson S, Kattner N, Shaw J, Turnbull D, Greaves LC, Walker M. Mitochondrial complex I subunit deficiency promotes pancreatic α-cell proliferation. Molecular Metabolism 2022, 60, 101489.
  • Chen C, Mossman E, Malko P, McDonald D, Blain AP, Bone L, Erskine D, Filby A, Vincent AE, Hudson G, Reeve AK. Astrocytic Changes in Mitochondrial Oxidative Phosphorylation Protein Levels in Parkinson's Disease. Movement Disorders 2022, 37(2), 302-314.
  • Chen C, McDonald D, Blain A, Sachdeva A, Bone L, Smith ALM, Warren C, Pickett SJ, Hudson G, Filby A, Vincent AE, Turnbull DM, Reeve AK. Imaging mass cytometry reveals generalised deficiency in OXPHOS complexes in Parkinson’s disease. npj Parkinson's Disease 2021, 7(1), 39.
  • Chen C, Vincent AE, Blain AP, Smith AL, Turnbull DM, Reeve AK. Investigation of mitochondrial biogenesis defects in single substantia nigra neurons using post-mortem human tissues. Neurobiology of Disease 2020, 134, 104631.
  • Vincent AE, Rosa HS, Pabis K, Lawless C, Chen C, Grünewald A, Rygiel K, Rocha MC, Reeve AK, Falkous G, Perissi V, White K, Davey T, Petrof BJ, Sayer AA, Cooper C, Deehan D, Taylor RW, Turnbull DM, Picard M. Subcellular origin of mitochondrial DNA deletions in human skeletal muscle. Annals of Neurology 2018, 84(2), 289-301.
  • Reeve AK, Grady JP, Cosgrave EM, Bennison E, Chen C, Hepplewhite PD, Morris CM. Mitochondrial dysfunction within the synapses of substantia nigra neurons in Parkinson’s disease. npj Parkinson's Disease 2018, 4, 9.

• Review

  • Chen C, Turnbull DM, Reeve AK. Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Parkinson's Disease - Cause or Consequence?. Biology 2019, 8(2), 38.