Research Areas
Maintaining energy metabolism homeostasis is a fundamental necessity for cellular physiological functions. Dynamic changes in redox states dictate cell fate, and redox imbalance disrupts the equilibrium of core coenzymes like NADH/NAD+. This imbalance reprograms overall metabolic fluxes and driving aging-related phenotypes such as neurodegeneration and metabolic disorders. In our lab, we combine cutting-edge techniques, including cross-species orthogonal metabolic engineering, genetically encoded tools, multi-omics analyses, and high-throughput live-cell imaging, to elucidate the metabolic regulatory networks underlying redox homeostasis and aging. Our long-term goal is to uncover key metabolic bottlenecks in aging and drive a paradigm shift in anti-aging interventions from traditional "systemic supplementation" to precise, tissue-specific "metabolic remodeling".

Research Projects
1. Development and optimization of high precision in situ genetically encoded tools.
2. Elucidation mechanism of tissue-specific, aging-related metabolic decline.
High-throughput small molecule screening targeting redox pathways and translational anti-aging validation in animal models.

Brief Biography
2026.09-Present: Professor, Principal Investigator, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, CAS, Shanghai, China
2022.02-2026.08: Postdoctoral Associate, Scintillon Institute / Scripps Research, USA
2015.09-2020.10: Ph.D. in Cell Biology, Utrecht University, Netherlands
2012.09-2015.06: M.S. in Genetics, Southeast University, China
2008.09-2012.06: B.S. in Life Sciences, Anqing Normal University, China

Selected Publications (*Corresponding Author)

1. Pan X, Munan S, Zuckerman AL, Pon A, Thompson NB, Perera RM, Shrestha N, Violante S, Cross JR, Goodman RP, Shah H, Cracan V*. A genetically encoded bifunctional enzyme mitigates redox imbalance and lipotoxicity. Nat Metab 2026, 8(2): 350-370.
2. Yadav S#, Pan X#, Li S, Martin PL, Hoang N, Chen K, Karhadkar A, Malhotra J, Zuckerman AL, Munan S, Klose MK, Wang L, Cracan V*, Parkhitko AA*. Perturbation of NAD(P)H metabolism with the LbNOX xenotopic tool extends lifespan and mitigates age-related changes. Sci Adv 2026, 12(1): eady0628.
3. Pan X, Cracan V*. Translocation renal cell carcinoma says no to the Warburg effect. Nat Metab 2025, 7(3): 438-440.
4. Pan X#, Heacock ML#, Abdulaziz EN#, Violante S, Zuckerman AL, Shrestha N, Yao C, Goodman RP, Cross JR, Cracan V*. A genetically encoded tool to increase cellular NADH/NAD+ ratio in living cells. Nat Chem Biol 2024, 20(5): 594-604.
5. Pan X, Cao Y, Stucchi R, Hooikaas PJ, Portegies S, Will L, Martin M, Akhmanova A, Harterink M*, Hoogenraad CC*. MAP7D2 Localizes to the Proximal Axon and Locally Promotes Kinesin-1-Mediated Cargo Transport into the Axon. Cell Rep 2019, 26(8).
6. Pan X, Chang X, Leung C, Zhou Z, Cao F, Xie W, Jia Z*. PAK1 regulates cortical development via promoting neuronal migration and progenitor cell proliferation. Mol Brain 2015, 8(8).
7. Pan X, Hoogenraad C, Harterink M. MAPs of the neuron-Exploring the role of microtubule-associated proteins in neurodevelopment. Utrecht Univ 2020.
8. Singh C, Jin B, Shrestha N, Markhard AL, Panda A, Calvo SE, Deik A, Pan X, Zuckerman AL, Saad AB, Corey KE, Sjoquist J, Osganian S, AminiTabrizi R, Rhee EP, Shah H, Goldberger O, Mullen AC, Cracan V, Clish CB, Mootha VK, Goodman RP*. ChREBP is activated by reductive stress and mediates GCKR-associated metabolic traits. Cell Metab 2024, 36(1).
9. Buijs RR, Hummel JJA, Burute M, Pan X, Cao Y, Stucchi R, Altelaar M, Akhmanova A, Kapitein LC, Hoogenraad CC*. WDR47 protects neuronal microtubule minus ends from katanin-mediated severing. Cell Rep 2021, 36(2).
10. Cao Y, Lipka J, Stucchi R, Burute M, Pan X, Portegies S, Tas RP, Willems J, Will L, MacGillavry HD, Altelaar AFM, Kapitein LC, Harterink M, Hoogenraad CC*. Microtubule Minus-End Binding Protein CAMSAP2 and Kinesin-14 Motor KIFC3 Control Dendritic Microtubule Organization. Curr Biol 2020, 30(5).
11. Fréal A, Rai D, Tas RP, Pan X, Katrukha EA, van de Willige D, Stucchi R, Aher A, Yang C, Altelaar AFM, Vocking K, Post JA, Harterink M, Kapitein LC, Akhmanova A, Hoogenraad CC*. Feedback-Driven Assembly of the Axon Initial Segment. Neuron 2019, 104(2): 305-321.
12. Farias GG, Fréal A, Tortosa E, Stucchi R, Pan X, Portegies S, Will L, Altelaar M, Hoogenraad CC*. Feedback-Driven Mechanisms between Microtubules and the Endoplasmic Reticulum Instruct Neuronal Polarity. Neuron 2019, 102(1).
13. Harterink M, Vocking K, Pan X, Soriano Jerez EM, Slenders L, Fréal A, Tas RP, van de Wetering WJ, Timmer K, Motshagen J, van Beuningen SFB, Kapitein LC, Geerts WJC, Post JA, Hoogenraad CC*. TRIM46 organizes microtubule fasciculation in the axon initial segment. J Neurosci 2019, 39(25).
14. Cunha-Ferreira I, Chazeau A, Buijs RR, Stucchi R, Will L, Pan X, Adolfs Y, van der Meer C, Wolthuis JC, Kahn OI, Schätzle P, Altelaar M, Pasterkamp RJ, Kapitein LC, Hoogenraad CC. The HAUS Complex Is a Key Regulator of Non-centrosomal Microtubule Organization during Neuronal Development. Cell Rep 2018, 24: 791-800.
15. Cao F, Zhou Z, Pan X, Leung C, Xie W, Collingridge G, Jia Z*. Developmental regulation of hippocampal long-term depression by cofilin mediated actin reorganization. Neuropharmacology 2017, 112.
16. Xia S, Zhou Z, Leung C, Zhu Y, Pan X, Qi J, Morena M, Hill MN, Xie W, Jia Z*. p21-activated kinase 1 restricts tonic endocannabinoid signaling in the hippocampus. eLife 2016, 5(e14653).

Recruitment
Postdoctoral positions are currently available. Please email (xpan@sinh.ac.cn) including your CV, cover letter, and the names of your referees.