How mitochondrial shape and recycling affect nerve and heart cells
Structure, Turnover and Safeguard of Mitochondria
This work looks at how changes in mitochondria impact nerve and heart cells and relate to conditions like Charcot‑Marie‑Tooth and heart disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11248801 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will examine how mitochondria grow, split, fuse, and are removed, focusing on key proteins (DRP1, OPA1, mitofusin) that are mutated in some human disorders. The team will use cell experiments and animal models that carry disease-linked mutations to see how mitochondrial changes damage nerve and heart cells. They will connect those basic findings to human conditions such as Charcot‑Marie‑Tooth neuropathy, optic atrophy, and cardiovascular disease. Over five years the goal is to map molecular steps that could point to new targets for future treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with genetic forms of Charcot‑Marie‑Tooth, inherited optic atrophy, or mitochondrial-related heart conditions would be the most relevant future candidates for trials based on these findings.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate clinical benefit or those whose conditions are unrelated to mitochondrial dysfunction are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this basic-research grant.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could reveal molecular targets that lead to therapies to slow or prevent nerve and heart cell damage.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have linked these mitochondrial proteins to human disease and provided mechanistic clues, but translating those insights into proven treatments remains largely untested.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- Johns Hopkins University — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sesaki, Hiromi — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Sesaki, Hiromi
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.