Program and book of abstracts 1st conference

October 17 th – 20 th , 2022, Congress Centre of Slovak Academy of Sciences, Smolenice castle, Slovakia

Hancock John T.

John T. Hancock is Professor of Cell Signalling at the University of the West of England, Bristol (UWE). John studied at the University of Bristol before moving to UWE in 1993. Since then, he has worked extensively on redox biology, with an original focus on the production and role of reactive oxygen species (ROS). John’s research has broadened out to incorporate nitric oxide (NO), hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and more recently molecular hydrogen (H2). He has published over 200 research articles, with a ResearchGate H factor of 60. John has authored several editions of the book Cell Signalling, published by Oxford University Press,

the most recent being in the Primer Series (2021: ISBN: 9780198859581), a series of books produced in partnership with the Royal Society of Biology. John is the on the editorial board of several journals. He is the Editor-in Chief of the Journal Oxygen (MDPI). Recently John completed a Special Issue for the journal Plants (MDPI), entitled “Production and Role of Molecular Hydrogen in Plants”. MOLECULAR TARGETS OF HYDROGEN IN BIOLOGY: WHAT ARE THEY? Department of Applied Sciences, University of the West of England, Bristol, BS16 1QY, UK (john.hancock@uwe.ac.uk) BACKGROUND: Molecular hydrogen (H2) has significant effects in biological systems, from plants to humans. It has been found to be beneficial as a treatment for neurodegenerative disease and COVID-19, and has been extensively used as a sports supplement. In plants, it has been shown to increase seed germination, root growth and the quality of crops, as well as being used postharvest. However, the direct actions of H2 have yet to be established. OBJECTIVES: To appraise the potential of a range of molecules which could be direct targets of H2 action. METHODS: Using past and current literature, several direct targets of H2 were assessed as potentially worthy of further investigation. RESULTS: A range of molecular effects have been reported in the literature, including changes in cellular antioxidant capacity, effects on haemoxygenase, and on gene expression patterns. Direct action of H2 may include as an antioxidant, particularly against the hydroxyl radical or peroxynitrite (ONNO-), or through the action of the redox state or spin state of the H2 molecule. CONCLUSIONS: Several potential molecular targets have been suggested, but there is little concrete evidence of any of them being involved in H2 action in cells. Clearly, much more research into the molecular aspects of H2 effects needs to be undertaken. This work was supported by the University of the West of England, Bristol.

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