Role of mitochondrial dynamic and autophagy in the segregation of mutant mtDNA

Mitochondria are the parts of cells that make most of the energy our bodies need. They contain small circles of DNA which are essential for this process of energy production. The DNA in mitochondria sometimes contains errors, which cause human diseases. In most humans with defective mitochondrial DNA there are also some normal copies present. We are searching for a way to give these fully functional copies of mitochondrial DNA an advantage. If we can achieve this in cells cultured in the laboratory we can try to apply the knowledge to treat patients with mitochondrial diseases