Since the endosymbiotic evolution of mitochondria, their role in cellular health has become essential. Mitochondria have critical roles in cell, organ, and organismal function, and their dysfunction leads to the development of metabolic, neurodegenerative, and other disorders in humans. The development of novel approaches to treat mitochondrial diseases such as gene editing, mitochondria transfer and transplantation, and tissue- and cell type-specific diversity are significant challenges. Understanding the role of mitochondria in health and disease is still in its infancy and needs the aggregation of different fields to advance this area of research.

This Keystone Symposia conference on Mitochondria: From Dysfunction to Disease will spotlight unique areas of crosstalk between lipids, proteins, and membranes to understand the connections between mitochondria and other organelles in the cell. Plenary sessions will discuss the roles of mitochondria in neurodegeneration, mitochondrial complex I deficiency, mitochondrial genetics, oxidative stress and redox biology, mitochondrial damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), inflammation, tissue-specific diversity, structural dynamics, mitochondria transfer and transplantation, DNA editing, mito-lipid crosstalk, and mitochondrial metabolic flexibility. Novel approaches to repair and enhance mitochondria in humans will be elaborated and inform how to overcome these disorders.

The conference will bring together scientists and clinicians not only from the mitochondrial field, but aging sciences, neurology, structural and synthetic biology, signaling pathways, and nucleic acid biology. The conference will be co-located with the Keystone Symposia conference on Molecular Mechanisms of Lipid Biology, as lipid biology and mitochondria form the core of cellular energy balance, metabolic flexibility, and cell survival. Connections between attendees of these conferences will allow for greater insights into structural integrity, signaling capabilities, and quality control systems that are dynamically controlled by lipid composition and how these pathways intersect with mitochondrial biology.

The conference will examine controversial and fast-moving areas such as mitochondria transfer and transplantation, genetic modification of mitochondria, and emerging mitochondrial therapeutics. Additionally, hot topics such as DAMPs and inflammation, cybrid models, and brain mapping will be addressed. By emphasizing collaboration, the conference will support the emergence of new teams focused on harnessing mitochondrial biology to improve health and treat a wide range of diseases.

Unique Career Development Opportunities

This meeting will feature a Career Roundtable where trainees and early-career investigators will have the opportunity to interact with field leaders from across academic and industry sectors for essential career development advice and networking opportunities. Find out more about Career Roundtables here: https://www.keystonesymposia.org/diversity/career-development-initiatives