I am a PhD student at the School of Life Science and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China. My research focuses on exploring the multifaceted role of the ATAD1 in regulating mitochondrial homeostasis. Our team has uncovered the mechanism by which ATAD1 regulates mitochondrial fission, which were published in “PLOS Biology”.
The opportunity to attend the Hong Kong Laureate Forum is deeply inspiring to me, as it brings together distinguished scholars. I hold great admiration for them, especially Professors Peter Walter and Kazutoshi Mori, who found the unfolded protein response (UPR). Their groundbreaking research of UPR has been instrumental in guiding our lab’s studies, and I am particularly eager to engage with Professor Walter, whose team elucidated the structure and function of ATAD1 as a membrane protein extraction machine. Their discovery aligns closely with my own research, and I am excited to discuss potential intersections between our work.
Participating in this forum would allow me to deepen my understanding of cellular stress mechanisms, exchange ideas with leading experts, and broaden my perspectives on translational research. I am confident that this experience will enrich my academic knowledge and inspire innovative approaches to addressing challenges in future research.

Mitochondria are the powerhouse of cells and participate in multiple intracellular processes. Disruption of mitochondrial homeostasis can lead to mitochondrial dysfunction, which is associated with the development of many diseases. The AAA-ATPase ATAD1 is a conserved mitochondrial outer membrane protein. It maintains mitochondrial outer membrane proteostasis by extracting tail-anchored proteins that are mislocalized to the outer membrane and precursor proteins that are retained in the TOM complex. Our research focuses on exploring how ATAD1 regulates mitochondrial homeostasis through multiple mechanisms. Using advanced techniques such as yeast genetics, biochemistry, and super-resolution microscopy, we investigate the specific molecular mechanisms and biological functions involved in this process.