Matthew Pamenter

Matthew Pamenter is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biology at the University of Ottawa. His research sits at the intersection of comparative physiology and basic neuroscience, focusing on hypoxia tolerance mechanisms in vertebrate brains. He leads a lab studying species like naked mole-rats, western painted turtles, and goldfish to uncover adaptations that allow survival in low-oxygen environments.

• University of Ottawa Faculty of Science
• Department of Biology

Research Interests:

• Hypoxia and Ischemia
• Metabolism and Mitochondrial Energetics
• Neurophysiology and Comparative Physiology
• Thermoregulation and Control of Breathing

The Pamenter Lab's work has translational relevance for hypoxia-related pathologies like ischemic stroke and chronic pulmonary disorders. Current projects investigate:

• Molecular mechanisms of hypoxic ventilatory response (HVR)
• Role of mitochondria in ROS and NO homeostasis
• Regional energy regulation in hypoxia-tolerant brains
• Comparative studies across hypoxia-tolerant rodent species

Key findings include:

• Naked mole-rats suppress thermogenesis via UCP1 downregulation during hypoxia
• Enhanced mitochondrial calcium buffering capacity in naked mole-rat brain cells
• Blunted ventilatory responses in subterranean rodents
• Species-specific metabolic and neurochemical adaptations to hypoxia

The lab employs techniques like high-resolution respirometry, fluorescence microscopy, and molecular biology to explore these phenomena. Graduate students like Hang Cheng and Liam Eaton have contributed to groundbreaking studies on ROS regulation, calcium handling, and mitochondrial function in hypoxia-tolerant species.