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David A. Hood (above, left), York’s Canada Research Chair (CRC) in Cell Physiology, recently received a framed certificate from the prime minister of Canada, delivered by York VP Research & Innovation Stan Shapson (above, right).
Professor in the School of Kinesiology & Health Science, Hood is examining basic and applied research on mitochondrial biogenesis and how skeletal muscle adapts to exercise. It is already known that regular exercise can generate mitochondria, the components of human cells that produce about 90 per cent of the cellular energy (ATP) requirements. When mitochondrial content is low in a cell or mitochondrial disease exists, ATP synthesis is reduced and cell survival is compromised.
Hood’s aim is to improve the understanding of mitochondrial biogenesis in health and disease. He believes his findings will shed some light on the basis for an increasing number of mitochondrial disorders, including muscular, neurological, metabolic and heart diseases. As well, they will provide a better understanding of the role regular exercise plays in reversing mitochondrial disease and/or cell death.
Author of more than 60 articles and two chapters, Hood is a Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine and recipient of a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Konstanz.
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