How cells clear damaged mitochondria to keep tissues healthy
Mechanisms of mitophagy in tissue health and homeostasis
This work looks at how cells remove damaged mitochondria to help people with heart, metabolic, or nerve diseases linked to mitochondrial problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wayne State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Detroit, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11247057 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The team studies mitophagy—the cell process that clears broken mitochondria—using fruit flies as a whole-animal model. They use genetic tools to follow what happens when the ataxia-linked gene Vps13D is disrupted and to identify proteins that cause mitophagy to stall. The lab has created new fly strains that let them visualize mitochondria fated for clearance before they are degraded. What they learn in flies will help explain how mitophagy supports real tissue function and point to targets for future therapies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with conditions linked to mitochondrial damage—such as certain inherited ataxias, cardiomyopathies, or metabolic and some neurodegenerative disorders—would be most likely to benefit from follow-up research or future trials.
Not a fit: Patients whose illnesses do not involve mitochondrial damage or quality-control problems are unlikely to see direct benefit from this basic research in the near term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new targets to help cells remove damaged mitochondria and eventually lead to therapies or tests for diseases tied to mitochondrial dysfunction.
How similar studies have performed: Previous lab and cell-based studies have identified steps of mitophagy, but translating animal-model insights into human treatments remains limited and this fly-based approach aims to fill that gap.
Where this research is happening
Detroit, United States
- Wayne State University — Detroit, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Insolera, Ryan — Wayne State University
- Study coordinator: Insolera, Ryan
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.