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We are pleased to share an interview with Prof. Dr. Maik Hüttemann, winner of the Cells Best Paper Award. 

In this interview, Prof. Dr. Hüttemann reflects on his research in mitochondrial energy metabolism, the significance of the award-winning paper, current challenges in the field, and future research directions. He also offers valuable advice to early-career researchers on scientific writing and critical thinking.

 The following is a short interview with Prof. Dr. Maik Hüttemann: 

1. To begin, could you briefly introduce your main research focus and the work of your research group?
I have worked on mitochondrial energy metabolism throughout my scientific career. My group focuses on cytochrome c and cytochrome c oxidase, two components of the mitochondrial electron transport chain, and on how they regulate mitochondrial function.
Our research has two main parts. First, we study the mechanisms that regulate the electron transport chain, particularly post-translational modifications of cytochrome c and cytochrome c oxidase. These mechanisms are relevant to diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and ischemia–reperfusion injury. A key aspect is maintaining the right mitochondrial membrane potential, since excessive activity can increase reactive oxygen species, while insufficient activity limits ATP production.
The second part is translational research. We identified specific wavelengths of near-infrared light that can control mitochondrial activity and protect tissues during ischemia–reperfusion injury. We are now preparing for a Phase I clinical trial using non-invasive near-infrared light to temporarily slow mitochondrial activity during acute stress and give cells time to recover. Our goal is to use our basic understanding of mitochondrial regulation to develop technologies that may ultimately help save human lives. 

2. Once again, congratulations on receiving the Cells Best Paper Award. What does this recognition mean to you and your co-authors, and what do you believe made the paper stand out?
We were all very happy to receive the award and pleased that our work had gained this level of recognition.
I believe the paper stood out because it highlights the role of cytochrome c, which has often been overlooked compared with the larger complexes of the electron transport chain. Rather than presenting cytochrome c simply as a passive electron carrier, our work shows that it can act as an important regulatory point and that its post-translational modifications can influence electron flow, mitochondrial respiration, energy production, and apoptosis.
For many years, cytochrome c was a “forgotten” molecule, and our research aimed to fill this gap. The review brings together findings we collected over many years and presents a different concept of mitochondrial regulation, so we are especially pleased that its importance has been recognised. 

3. Are you planning any follow-up publication or research project that builds on this work?
Yes. We have identified a new post-translational modification of cytochrome c in a specific skeletal muscle type that has not been described before. We still need additional experiments to understand its function, but we are planning to publish an original research paper. When we identify an important new regulatory site, I often prefer to publish the original research first and then a review placing the discovery in a broader context. Reviews can help explain the significance of new findings and bring them to the attention of the scientific community.
We are also continuing our work on near-infrared light technology and its translation towards clinical use, based on our understanding of mitochondrial membrane potential regulation. 

4. What do you see as the most important challenges that researchers in this field will need to address in the coming years?
One of the biggest challenges is helping the scientific community fully understand the importance of the mitochondrial membrane potential and how strongly it affects ATP production, reactive oxygen species, and disease development.
Today, we know that mitochondrial regulation is much more complex than previously thought. Maintaining the right membrane potential is essential: if it is too high, mitochondria produce excessive reactive oxygen species, while if it is too low, they cannot produce enough ATP. This balance is important not only in primary mitochondrial diseases, but also in diabetes, inflammation, cancer metabolism, ischemia–reperfusion injury, and many other conditions.
Post-translational modifications, tissue-specific forms of cytochrome c and cytochrome c oxidase, and allosteric regulation all contribute to this control. However, much less is known about similar regulatory mechanisms in other complexes of the electron transport chain, leaving considerable room for further research.

5. What advice would you give to early career researchers, both more generally, and when it comes to preparing a high-quality research paper?
My main advice is to be ready for unexpected results. If your findings differ from the published literature, do not immediately assume that you are wrong. Check the experiment carefully, use appropriate controls, repeat the result, and try to understand why it is different. Our work on near-infrared light began this way: although the literature suggested that it activates mitochondria, we discovered that some wavelengths actually inhibit mitochondrial activity. Taking this unexpected result seriously eventually led to a major research programme.
Persistence is also very important. New or higher-risk ideas can be difficult to fund and may initially face considerable scepticism. If your methods are strong and you trust your data, you should not give up too quickly simply because others do not accept the idea at first.
When it comes to writing high-quality papers, young researchers should know the literature very well. In my group, every PhD student writes at least one review paper because this helps them understand the field, connect findings from different studies, and develop a clear and logical scientific argument. 

6. In your opinion, what distinguishes an excellent paper from an average one, and what should authors pay particular attention to when preparing a manuscript for publication?
For an original research paper, major novelty can distinguish an excellent paper from an average one. For a review paper, simply summarising existing studies is not enough. A strong review should critically combine the available evidence, develop a new concept or interpretation, and raise questions that can guide future research.
Authors should also pay close attention to how the manuscript is presented. When several people contribute, the final paper should have a consistent writing style, terminology, structure, and scientific argument. The language should be precise, the figures clear, and unnecessary repetition avoided. For original research papers, appropriate control experiments are also essential to show that the findings are reliable and reproducible and to exclude other possible explanations. 

7. Finally, what message would you like to share with the readers and scientific community of Cells?
Be critical of your own research and make sure your experiments include the correct controls. At the same time, trust your data when the experiments have been carried out properly, even if the results do not agree with the published literature, and be mentally prepared for surprises that could transform the medical field or the field you are working in.
We sincerely thank Prof. Dr. Maik Hüttemann for sharing his insights with the Cells (ISSN 2073-4409) community and look forward to further opportunities for collaboration.