How cells build and maintain their mitochondria
Mitochondrial Biogenesis in Health and Disease
This project looks at how cells make and assemble their mitochondria to help people with mitochondrial diseases, some cancers, heart and brain disorders, and age-related problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Miami School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Coral Gables, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11094104 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers study the cell’s energy factories—the mitochondria—by mapping how the protein pieces are made and put together. They focus on three areas: the enzymes that run oxidative phosphorylation, the larger supercomplexes those enzymes form, and the mitochondrial ribosome that makes mitochondrial proteins. The team uses molecular and biochemical methods in cells and model systems to trace the order of assembly and to find helper proteins that guide the process. Learning these steps could point to future tests or treatments for conditions driven by mitochondrial problems.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with diagnosed mitochondrial disorders, unexplained cardiomyopathies or encephalopathies, certain neurodegenerative diseases, or cancers linked to mitochondrial dysfunction may be most directly relevant to this research and to future related studies.
Not a fit: Patients with conditions that are unrelated to mitochondrial function (for example acute infections or purely structural injuries) are unlikely to see direct benefits from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify new targets for therapies that restore mitochondrial function in diseases like mitochondrial myopathies, certain cancers, neurodegeneration, and cardiomyopathies.
How similar studies have performed: Prior basic research has identified some assembly factors and steps for mitochondrial complexes, but many details remain novel and underexplored.
Where this research is happening
Coral Gables, United States
- University of Miami School of Medicine — Coral Gables, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Barrientos, Antoni — University of Miami School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Barrientos, Antoni
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.