Keeping mitochondria healthy in brain cells
Mitochondrial Fidelity in Mammalian Neurons
This project looks at how certain long-lived parts of mitochondria help keep brain cells healthy as people age.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11064917 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will map where unusually long-lived mitochondrial proteins sit inside neurons and how they relate to the folded inner structures (cristae) that power cells. They will use mouse models, molecular labeling, high-resolution microscopy, and biochemical methods to track these proteins over months and test how altering them affects mitochondrial structure and function. The team will compare findings in brain and heart tissue to understand why some mitochondrial components persist much longer than others. The aim is to link long-lived mitochondrial components to aging and neurological disease mechanisms that could guide future therapies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This project is lab-based and is not enrolling patients, though people with age-related neurodegenerative conditions could benefit from future treatments based on the findings.
Not a fit: People seeking immediate treatments or clinical care should not expect direct benefit because the work is basic laboratory research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to preserve mitochondrial health and slow age-related or neurodegenerative decline.
How similar studies have performed: Identifying long-lived mitochondrial proteins is a recent finding, so this approach is relatively new and has not yet produced clinical treatments.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- University of Pennsylvania — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bomba-Warczak, Ewa Karolina — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Bomba-Warczak, Ewa Karolina
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.