Mitochondrial cell biology: Understanding the molecular mechanisms and functions of mitochondrial dynamics and membrane contact sites

线粒体形成一个动态的和连接的网络，它不断被膜分裂和融合的循环重塑。这些动态转换不仅需要确保适当的线粒体功能，而且还需要响应细胞的需求并适应细胞的代谢状态。为了执行细胞功能，线粒体还与其他细胞器（包括内质网、过氧化物酶体和溶酶体）建立膜接触位点。这些细胞器膜接触位点是代谢物通量的热点，并严格调节线粒体结构。虽然线粒体形态或接触位点的缺陷与人类疾病有关，但将线粒体膜重塑与细胞命运决定联系起来的分子机制知之甚少。Prudent小组专注于了解调节膜动力学和重塑的机制，以及它们如何影响细胞功能和管理细胞命运决定。在我们的第一个研究目标中，我们采用最先进的技术来识别和功能性地识别调节线粒体形态和细胞器接触位点的新蛋白质，以及它们如何支配细胞命运决定。我们研究的第二个目的是阐明线粒体膜重塑如何调节线粒体（mt）DNA质量控制和调节胞质mtDNA释放驱动炎症控制细胞内稳态。

Mitochondria form a dynamic and connected network, which is constantly remodelled by cycles of membrane fission and fusion. These dynamic transitions are not only required to ensure a proper mitochondrial function but also to respond to cellular needs and adapt to the metabolic state of the cell. To execute cellular functions, mitochondria also establish membrane contact sites with other organelles, including the endoplasmic reticulum, peroxisomes and lysosomes. These organelle membrane contact sites are hotspots for metabolites flux and tightly regulate mitochondrial architecture. While defects in mitochondrial morphology or contact sites have been associated with human diseases, the molecular mechanisms linking mitochondrial membrane remodelling to cell fate decisions are poorly understood. The Prudent group focusses on understanding the mechanisms regulating membrane dynamics and remodelling, how they influence cellular functions and govern cell fate decisions. In our first research aim, we employ state-of-the-art to identify and functionally characterise new proteins regulating mitochondrial morphology and mitochondria-organelle contact sites, and how they govern cell fate decisions. Our second aim of research is to elucidate how mitochondrial membrane remodelling regulates mitochondrial (mt)DNA quality control and modulates cytosolic mtDNA release driving inflammation to control cellular homeostasis.