Invited by Professor Yong-Gang Yao of AMHD (Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms, Chinese Academy of Sciences), Dr. Yi-Dong Bai from University of Texas presented an academic seminar in Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences in the morning of April 11. The title of his presentation was “The role of mitochondrial respiratory complex I in tumorigenesis”. Focusing on mtDNA mutations and tumorigenesis, Dr. Bai introduced their research progresses on the effect of mitochondrial respiratory complex I deficiency mainly induced by mutation of mtDNA on cell proliferation and tumorigenesis. He also presented the progresses in molecular mechanisms by which mutation of mtDNA contribute to tumorigenesis, i.e mutation of mtDNA encoding subunit of mitochondrial respiratory complex I activates AKT pathway by increasing phosphorylation level of AKT.

The seminar attracted Professors Ping Zheng, Qing-Peng Kong, Yong-Tang Zheng, Xu-Dong Zhao, Bing Liang, Yong-Gang Yao, young scientists and students of KIZ. In addition, some professors and students from Yunnan University attended as well. After the presentation, the audience, especially many students joined in the enthusiastic discussion with Dr. Bai on the presented and related topics.