Tasnim Arroum, PhD

Education

• University of Emden/Leer, Germany, B.S., 2014
• University of Münster, Germany, M.S., 2017
• University of Münster, Germany, Ph.D., 2022

Research Focus

My research focuses on improving our understanding of how cells sustain their energy balance and resilience in health and how they lose this capacity under stress and disease conditions. To achieve this, we study mitochondrial regulation — particularly changes in posttranslational modifications in the electron transport chain — using a combination of proteomics methods, biochemical approaches, and genetic engineering. My goal is to bridge the bird’s-eye view provided by unbiased proteomics investigations with traditional mitochondrial biochemical studies, creating a comprehensive understanding of mitochondrial regulation. Ultimately, understanding how mitochondria preserve cellular health will help reveal new therapeutic avenues for combating devastating diseases such as cancer and, as arguably the ultimate human disease, age-related bioenergetic decline.

Mitochondrial Regulation in Cancer:

Mitochondrial regulation is a key determinant of cell fate in cancer, influencing how cells generate energy, respond to stress, and adapt to their environment. Understanding these regulatory mechanisms will reveal cancer vulnerabilities that can be targeted for therapeutic interventions.

Interventions for Healthy Aging and Rejuvenation:

We focus on restoring mitochondrial function for sustaining cellular health and improving quality of life in the aging population. Our work is guided by a broader interest in understanding the process of aging. We are exploring interventions that enhance mitochondrial function and quality control to promote healthy aging and tissue rejuvenation. For example, our recent studies have shown that mitochondrial transplantation can improve skeletal muscle function in aging models of mice and rats. This approach represents a novel strategy to boost mitochondrial function in aged skeletal muscle.

Recent Publications

For a complete list of my peer-reviewed publications, please go to

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/tasnim.arroum.1/bibliography/public/

Pavelich L., Pham L., Stemmer P., Lee I., Grossman L.I., Hüttemann M., Arroum T., Supercomplex Restructuring in Heart Mitochondria of COX7A1-Deficient Mice. Biomolecules. 2025. Biomolecules. 2025 Aug 22;15(9):1209. doi: 10.3390/biom15091209. PMID: 41008521; PMCID: PMC12467167. 

Wan J., Morse P.T., Zurek M.P., Turner A.A., Vaishnav A., Salomon A.R., Edwards B.F.P., Arroum T., Hüttemann M. Tyrosine 67 Phosphorylation Controls Respiration and Limits the Apoptotic Functions of Cytochrome c. Cells. 2025; 14(13):951. https://doi.org/10.3390/cells14130951

Morse P.T., Wan J., Arroum, T., Herroon M.K., Kalpage HA., Bazylianska V., Lee I., Heath E.I., Podgorski I., Hüttemann M. Prostate Cancer-Specific Lysine 53 Acetylation of Cytochrome c Drives Metabolic Reprogramming and Protects from Apoptosis in Intact Cells. Biomolecules. 2024 Jun 14;14(6):695. doi: 10.3390/biom14060695. PMID: 38927098; PMCID: PMC11201891.

Arroum T., Hish G.A., Burghardt K.J., Ghamloush M., Bazzi B., Mrech A., Morse P.T., Britton S.L., Koch L.G., McCully J.D., ^#Hüttemann M., ^#Malek M.H. Mitochondria Transplantation: Rescuing Innate Muscle Bioenergetic Impairment in a Model of Aging and Exercise Intolerance. J Strength Cond Res. 2024 Jul 1;38(7):1189-1199. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000004793. PMID: 38900170; PMCID: PMC11192236. Note: This manuscript was given the highest recognition by the journal, the Gary A. Dudley Memorial Paper: Scientific Manuscript Excellence Designation.           

Arroum T., Hish G.A., Burghardt K.J., McCully J.D., ^#Hüttemann M., ^#Malek M.H. Mitochondrial Transplantation's Role in Rodent Skeletal Muscle Bioenergetics: Recharging the Engine of Aging. Biomolecules. 2024 Apr 18;14(4):493. doi: 10.3390/biom14040493. PMID: 38672509; PMCID: PMC11048484. (# co-last authors). Note: This publication was selected as Editor’s Choice                  

Arroum, T., L. Pham, T.E. Raisanen, P.T. Morse, J. Wan, J. Bell, R. Lax, A. Saada, M. ^#Hüttemann, and S. ^#Weksler-Zangen. High Sucrose Diet-Induced Subunit I Tyrosine 304 Phosphorylation of Cytochrome c Oxidase Leads to Liver Mitochondrial Respiratory Dysfunction in the Cohen Diabetic Rat Model. Antioxidants, 2024. 13(1): p. 19. DOI: 10.3390/antiox13010019. (# co-last authors)

Morse, P.T., G. Perez-Mejias, J. Wan, A.A. Turner, I. Marquez, H.A. Kalpage, A. Vaishnav, M.P. Zurek, P.P. Huettemann, K. Kim, T. Arroum, M.A. De la Rosa, D.D. Chowdhury, I. Lee, J.S. Brunzelle, T.H. Sanderson, M.H. Malek, D. Meierhofer, B.F.P. Edwards, I. Diaz-Moreno, and M. Hüttemann, Cytochrome c lysine acetylation regulates cellular respiration and cell death in ischemic skeletal muscle. Nat Commun, 2023. 14(1): p. 4166. DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39820-8.