Coordination Funds

线粒体显示出独特的形态，其特征在于光滑的外膜和高度卷曲的内膜。虽然内膜组织成内边界和嵴膜主要是拓扑结构，但越来越清楚的是，这种组织也反映了功能区室化。因此，膜组成、形态和功能似乎彼此紧密相连。该领域的主流观点是内膜组织定义了专门的蛋白质和脂质环境，这使得细胞能够在空间上组织蛋白质功能。然而，关于内膜的形状是如何建立和维持的，蛋白质如何被隔离在内膜中，以及蛋白质的组成和形状如何被细胞调节以满足代谢需求，我们的知识存在巨大的空白。为此，提供内膜形状和蛋白定位的时间和空间信息的实验方法对于评估并最终了解膜结构和功能组织是如何产生的至关重要。在这项研究计划中，我们采取决定性的一步来解决线粒体超微结构的基本问题，并将在线粒体成像技术方面具有独特和互补专业知识的研究人员与解决线粒体功能的核心生物学问题的科学家聚集在一起。

Mitochondria display a unique morphology, which is characterized by a smooth outer membrane and a highly convoluted inner membrane. While the organization of the inner membrane into inner boundary and crista membrane is primarily topological, it is becoming increasingly clear that this organization also reflects a functional compartmentation. Hence, membrane composition, morphology, and function appear to be tightly linked with each other. The prevailing view in the field is that the inner membrane organization defines specialized protein and lipid environments, which allow the cell to spatially organize protein functions. Yet, there are immense gaps in our knowledge as to how the shape of the inner membrane is established and maintained, how proteins are sequestered in the inner membrane, and how protein composition and shape can be regulated by the cell to match metabolic demands. To this end, experimental approaches that provide temporal and spatial information of inner membrane shape and protein localisations are essential to assess and eventually understand how membrane architecture and functional organization are brought about. In this research initiative, we take a decisive step to tackle fundamental questions on mitochondrial ultrastructure and bring together researchers with unique and complementary expertise in mitochondrial imaging technologies with scientists addressing central biological questions on mitochondrial functions.