Ma has used different animal models,
molecular and
cellular imaging,
gene editing, and delivery tools to investigate the physiologic function of novel
genes in health and disease. Ma's early research has contributed to the identification of the
ryanodine receptor as a functional
calcium release channel and identified
store-operated calcium entry (SOCE) in
skeletal muscle excitable cells. His research also uncovered the function of SOCE in excitable muscle cells, highlighting its critical role in muscle function during
exercise,
fatigue,
ageing, and
muscular dystrophy. Ma investigated the structure–function relationship of the
cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) as a
chloride channel. He identified a critical region within the regulatory (R) domain that modulates channel activity, and demonstrated that certain CFTR processing mutants retain functional chloride channel activity when reconstituted into
lipid bilayer membranes. Alongside colleagues, Ma also explored mechanisms of
mitochondrial apoptosis, highlighting that calcium flux and pro-apoptotic proteins contribute to mitochondrial-mediated
cell death. In collaboration with Hiroshi Takeshima, Ma's research focused on defining the molecular framework of
E-C coupling and its relevance to
human disease and
regenerative medicine. The collaboration resulted in the description of
TRIC channels as essential for intracellular calcium handling. Their work also identified MG29, a
synaptophysin-family protein involved in transverse-tubule
biogenesis and
calcium signaling. This collaboration also resulted in the discovery of MG53, a key component of the cell membrane repair machinery. Subsequent studies demonstrated that MG53 possesses potent
anti-inflammatory and
tissue-protective properties across a range of disease models. Ma’s research on Alzheimer's disease focused on the
neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory properties of MG53, and were undertaken to develop strategies for the prevention of cognitive decline associated with
neuroinflammation. He has also contributed to the development of an
exercise pill aimed at treating diabetes. As of 2025, Ma's work has been cited 19,700 times according to
Scopus. ==Awards and honors==