"How are mitochondrial genomes spatially organized within the mitochondrial network and faithfully inherited during cell division?"
Mitochondrial DNA molecules are packaged into nucleoprotein structures called nucleoids and distributed throughout the dynamic mitochondrial network. The spatial organization of these nucleoids influences genome replication, gene expression, and inheritance. Our research investigates how mtDNA molecules are positioned, maintained, and transmitted during cell division. By combining live-cell microscopy, genetic perturbations, and quantitative analysis of mitochondrial dynamics, we aim to understand how cells ensure robust inheritance of mitochondrial genomes across generations.
Documentation for specific projects in this area is currently being finalized.