Patrick Yu Wai Man

Professor Patrick Yu Wai Man is a leading academic clinician and researcher at Newcastle University, specializing in mitochondrial medicine and neuro-ophthalmology. His work bridges clinical ophthalmology with cutting-edge mitochondrial genetics, focusing on inherited optic neuropathies such as Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON) and Dominant Optic Atrophy (OPA1-related disorders), as well as Wolfram syndrome and other mitochondrial cytopathies.

Education & Training: While specific degrees are not detailed, his extensive publication record from 2002 onwards and professorial rank indicate advanced clinical and research training in neurology, ophthalmology, and mitochondrial genetics.

Research Interests:

• Mitochondrial genetics and disease mechanisms
• Inherited optic neuropathies (LHON, OPA1, Wolfram syndrome)
• Neuro-ophthalmology and retinal ganglion cell biology
• Translational therapies for mitochondrial eye diseases
• Zebrafish and cellular disease models
• Clinical genomics and next-generation sequencing diagnostics

His research integrates clinical phenotyping with molecular genetics, utilizing advanced imaging, electrophysiology, and animal models to understand mitochondrial dysfunction in neurodegeneration. He has pioneered work on mitochondrial DNA maintenance, optic nerve pathology, and therapeutic strategies including idebenone and gene-based approaches.

Scientific Contributions: Professor Yu Wai Man has published over 100 peer-reviewed articles since 2002, with significant contributions to understanding LHON pathophysiology, OPA1-related optic atrophy, and Wolfram syndrome. His work has defined genotype-phenotype correlations, identified novel disease genes (e.g., CISD2, CHCHD10), and advanced clinical trial readiness for mitochondrial optic neuropathies.

Collaborations & Teams: He collaborates extensively with Professor Patrick Chinnery (mitochondrial genetics), Professor Rita Horvath (neurogenetics), and international consortia including the NINDS mitochondrial disease common data elements project. His research spans Newcastle University's mitochondrial research group and involves multidisciplinary teams in ophthalmology, neurology, and basic science.