Mitochondrial Metabolism and Oxidative Efficiency in Drosophila

线粒体是细胞的“能量屋”，负责我们细胞运转所需能量的80%以上。它们在人类疾病中的显性作用，以及它们在老年神经退行性疾病中的隐含作用，使它们与我们社会的人口现实特别相关。大多数系统中线粒体DNA的低变异性限制了它们检测线粒体在确定宿主适合性中的作用的能力。DRS Ballard和Katewa建议研究线粒体DNA高度变异的模式物种的线粒体代谢。该提案将群体遗传学理论与老龄化社区开发的建模方法和假说联系起来，研究线粒体基因型或有丝分裂核相互作用是否影响果蝇模拟果蝇的线粒体新陈代谢。这些研究的完成将为理解线粒体对包括人类在内的动物氧化代谢影响的遗传和生化机制做出重大贡献。这项研究将指导女本科生和研究生，以及一名博士后研究员。研究结果将发表在同行评议的期刊上，其他相关信息将在实验室主页上公布。

Mitochondria are the "power house" of the cell and are responsible for more than 80% of the energy our cells need to function. Their demonstrated role in human disease, and their implied role in neurodegenerative conditions in advanced age makes them particularly relevant given the demographic realities of our society. The low variation within the mitochondrial DNA of most systems limits their power to detect the role of mitochondria in determining host fitness. Drs Ballard and Katewa propose to study mitochondrial metabolism in a model species with high mitochondrial DNA variation. The proposal links population genetics theory with the modeling approach and hypotheses developed by the aging community to study whether the mitochondrial genotype, or mitonuclear interactions influence mitochondrial metabolism in the fly Drosophila simulans. Completion of these studies will make significant contributions to the understanding of the genetic and biochemical mechanisms underlying mitochondrial influences on oxidative metabolism in animals, including humans. The study will result in the mentoring of female undergraduate and graduate students, and a postdoctoral researcher. Results from the studies will be published in peer-reviewed journals, and additional relevant information will be presented on the laboratory homepage.