Coordination Funds

线粒体形态独特，外膜光滑，内膜高度卷曲。虽然内膜到内边界和冠膜的组织主要是拓扑性的，但越来越清楚的是，这种组织也反映了一种功能划分。因此，膜的组成、形态和功能似乎彼此紧密联系在一起。该领域的流行观点是，内膜组织定义了专门的蛋白质和脂肪环境，允许细胞在空间上组织蛋白质的功能。然而，对于内膜的形状是如何建立和维持的，蛋白质是如何隔离在内膜中的，以及细胞如何调节蛋白质的组成和形状以匹配代谢需求，我们的知识存在着巨大的差距。为此，提供内膜形状和蛋白质定位的时间和空间信息的实验方法对于评估和最终理解膜结构和功能组织是必不可少的。在这项研究活动中，我们迈出了决定性的一步，解决了线粒体超微结构的基本问题，并将在线粒体成像技术方面拥有独特和互补专业知识的研究人员聚集在一起，与科学家一起解决关于线粒体功能的核心生物学问题。

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.