Understanding How Cells Maintain Healthy Mitochondria
Homeostatic Mechanisms Regulating Mitochondrial Health
This work explores the fundamental ways our cells keep their energy-producing parts, called mitochondria, healthy and working well.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | California Institute of Technology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pasadena, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11110447 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Our cells rely on tiny powerhouses called mitochondria to create energy and perform many other vital tasks, and when they don't work right, it can affect our health. This project aims to uncover three key ways cells maintain mitochondrial health: how they merge and divide, how they get rid of damaged mitochondria, and how they create new ones. By understanding these basic processes, we hope to learn more about how our bodies stay healthy at a cellular level. This knowledge could eventually help us understand and address many diseases linked to mitochondrial problems.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients with conditions linked to mitochondrial problems, such as certain neurological disorders or metabolic diseases, could indirectly benefit from the long-term outcomes of this basic science.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate new treatments or direct clinical interventions would not receive direct benefit from this foundational research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could provide foundational knowledge that leads to new ways to prevent or treat diseases caused by mitochondrial dysfunction.
How similar studies have performed: While the importance of mitochondrial health is well-established, this project targets specific gaps in our understanding of these fundamental homeostatic mechanisms, suggesting a novel approach to these areas.
Where this research is happening
Pasadena, United States
- California Institute of Technology — Pasadena, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chan, David C — California Institute of Technology
- Study coordinator: Chan, David C
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.