Mitochondrial Biology (MB)

• Mitochondria in Disease
• Mitochondria in Muscle Function
• Mitochondria in Neuronal Function
• Redox regulation in Biology

Mitochondria regulate signaling, metabolism, and energy production needed for cellular function.  Recent scientific studies show that mitochondrial dysfunction is more commonplace than previously thought and that substantial mitochondrial involvement is present in many acute and chronic diseases.  Mitochondrial dysfunction is now implicated in a range of human diseases, including aging, diabetes, atherosclerosis, heart failure, myocardial infarction, stroke and other ischemic-reperfusion injuries, neurodegenerative diseases including Alzhiemer’s and Parkinson’s diseases; cancer, HIV; sepsis and trauma with multiorgan dysfunction or failure.  Given the critical role of mitochondrial function discovering the fundamental mechanisms of mitochondrial function and dysfunction is a unifying theme for the development of therapeutic strategies for human health.

Brookes, Paul S.
Mitochondrial interactions with free radicals (nitric oxide, superoxide) in the context of myocardial ischemia reperfusion.

Dirksen, Robert T.
Calcium channel structure and function.

Freeman, Robert S.
Molecular mechanisms of neuronal death.

Johnson, Gail V.W.
Mitochondrial dysfunction and the molecular mechanisms of neurodegeneration; the regulation and function of transglutaminase 2; tau pathology in Alzheimer's disease; the role of mitochondria in the pathogenesis of Huntington's disease.

Rempe, David A.
The goal of our laboratory is to define the adaptive and pathological responses of the brain during hypoxia/ischemia that alter neuronal viability and function.

Sheu, Shey-Shing
Mitochondrial calcium signaling in normal and diseased heart cells and neurons.

Yoon, Yisang
Cell biology of mitochondria: Regulation of mitochondrial dynamics.