معرفی
Dr. Charles Affourtit is Associate Professor in Mitochondrial Biology and Associate Head of School (Research) in the School of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Plymouth. His research centers on mitochondrial bioenergetics in metabolic diseases, particularly type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, and sarcopenia.
He earned a DPhil in Biochemistry from the University of Sussex (2000), an MSc in Biology from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (1995), and a PGCert in Academic Practice from the University of Plymouth (2011). Prior to his current role, he held positions as Lecturer in Biochemistry at Plymouth (2010–2016), Investigative Scientist at the MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit, and Post-Doctoral Research Associate at the University of Sussex.
His research explores how mitochondrial dysfunction impairs insulin secretion in pancreatic beta cells and insulin sensitivity in skeletal muscle, with additional focus on dietary nitrate’s role in improving muscle function and the bioenergetics of uraemic myopathy. His lab actively trains undergraduate and postgraduate students, including PhD candidates and research fellows.
His recent publications reveal a strong trend in cellular bioenergetics, particularly ATP dynamics, insulin sensitivity, mitochondrial function in muscle and beta cells, and therapeutic interventions in metabolic and neurodegenerative diseases. His work spans physiology, biochemistry, and translational medicine, often using Seahorse XF technology and metabolic flux analysis.
Dr. Affourtit has served on editorial boards for Frontiers in Physiology and Physiological Reports, and has conducted over 212 peer reviews for journals including Nature and Diabetes. He has acted as external examiner for PhD theses at institutions such as King’s College London and the University of Dundee.
He has secured substantial research funding from the MRC, NIH, BBSRC, and Innovate UK, supporting projects on sarcopenia, dietary protein for aging, and mitochondrial dynamics in disease. His lab includes current members such as PhD student Rebecca Brittain and Research Fellow Jamie Blackwell, and he has supervised several successful PhD graduates including Rosie Donnell and Jonathan Barlow.
His lab investigates mitochondrial involvement in metabolic and age-related diseases, focusing on bioenergetic mechanisms in insulin secretion, insulin resistance, and muscle function. Collaborations span the UK, USA, and Australia, reflecting the international impact of his research.
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