Matthew Pamenter

Biography

At the crossroads of comparative physiology and basic neuroscience, the Pamenter Lab is focused on the study and exploitation of naturally evolved mechanisms of hypoxia-tolerance in the brain. By examining both proactive and reactive responses to low oxygen stress in the brains of hypoxia-tolerant and –intolerant species (respectively), we seek to understand the synaptic, cellular, and systemic adaptations that allow some species to tolerate acute or prolonged low oxygen stress, whereas others suffer rapid cellular and whole organism death. Advancing our knowledge in this area will allow us to develop a deeper understanding of pure biological questions related to the control and evolution of systemic responses to hypoxia. In addition, it may also provide an applied translational benefit by informing the development of novel strategies and therapeutics to treat pathologies related to hypoxia, such as ischemic stroke and chronic pulmonary disorders.

Selected publications:

• Ivy CM, Sprenger RJ, Bennett NC, van Jaarsveld B, Hart DW, Kirby AM, Yaghoubi D, Storey KB, Milsom WK and Pamenter ME (2020). The hypoxia tolerance of 8 related African mole-rat species rivals that of naked mole-rats, despite divergent ventilatory and metabolic strategies in severe hypoxia. Acta Physiologica. 228(4):e13436.
• Munro D, Baldy C, Pamenter ME* and Treberg JR* (2019). The exceptional longevity of the naked mole-rat may be explained by exceptional mitochondrial antioxidant defenses. Aging Cell. 18(3):e12916.
• Pamenter ME and Powell FL (2016). Molecular time domains of the hypoxic ventilatory response. Comprehensive Physiology. Invited review. 6(3):1345-1385.
• Chung D, Dzal YA, Seow A, Milsom WK and Pamenter ME (2016). Naked mole rats exhibit metabolic but not ventilatory plasticity following chronic sustained hypoxia. Proceedings of the Royal Society B. 283(1827):20160216.
• Pamenter ME, Hogg DW, Ormond J, Shin DS, Woodin MA and Buck LT (2011). Endogenous GABA(A) and GABA(B) receptor-mediated electrical suppression is critical to neuronal anoxia tolerance. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (USA). 108(27):11274-11279.