How cells keep mitochondrial DNA clean and healthy across generations
Official title: Elucidating the mechanisms of mtDNA heteroplasmy quality control
Funded at University of Texas at Austin · NIH-11430176 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are using zebrafish to understand how mitochondrial DNA changes are controlled and kept in check to prevent disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas at Austin NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Austin, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | April 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $434,480 |
| NIH project number | 1R35GM166237-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11430176 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with mitochondrial disorders or mtDNA mutations may benefit from improved understanding and future therapeutic approaches.
✕Less likely to help
The immediate work is preclinical and uses animal models; direct patient treatment is not part of this grant.
What this research studies
Mitochondria carry their own DNA and mutations can cause problems when they become too common in a tissue. The project uses zebrafish models and new mitochondrial-targeted base editing tools to study how mtDNA variations arise, are maintained, and are passed on in germ cells. By tracking mtDNA changes in vivo, the team aims to map the molecular pathways that govern tissue-specific heteroplasmy dynamics. The ultimate goal is to uncover mechanisms that could lead to interventions for mitochondrial diseases across vertebrates, including humans.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could inform strategies to prevent or mitigate mitochondrial dysfunction in patients with mtDNA-related diseases.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work with mtDNA editing in model organisms suggests that targeted approaches can reveal key regulatory pathways, supporting this study's potential.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas at Austin
Austin, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sabharwal, Ankit — University of Texas at Austin
- Study coordinator: Sabharwal, Ankit
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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.