Gang Cheng

Gang Cheng, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biophysics at the Medical College of Wisconsin. His research focuses on mitochondrial bioenergetics and redox metabolism in cancer cells, with a particular emphasis on developing mitochondria-targeted compounds as anticancer therapies. Dr. Cheng earned his BS in Pharmacy from Shandong University (1999) and a PhD in Pharmacology from Shenyang Pharmaceutical University (2005).

Research interests include exploiting metabolic vulnerabilities in cancer cells, enhancing drug efficacy through mitochondrial targeting, and investigating the role of gut microbiota in neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s. Key projects involve mitochondria-targeted metformin analogues (e.g., mito-metformin), honokiol derivatives, and short-chain fatty acids in cancer and neurological disease treatment.

His publications highlight advancements in drug delivery systems, mitochondrial complex I inhibition, and synergistic therapies targeting tumor metabolism. Applications span oncology, neuroprotection, and immunomodulation. Dr. Cheng collaborates on projects such as OXPHOS drug development and biomarker discovery in cancer progression.

Dr. Cheng’s work bridges biochemistry, pharmacology, and clinical translation, with a focus on mitochondrial mechanisms in disease. He actively contributes to drug discovery efforts for novel anticancer and neuroprotective agents.