Uncovering the Secret Life of the Cellular Powerhouse
Mitochondria are the cell’s metabolic powerhouses, performing more than 1,000 biochemical reactions. One of these reactions involves recycling the cellular fuel called adenosine triphosphate, or ATP. Although much of this biochemistry is long established, the last decade has seen a major resurgence of research into mitochondria, mainly due to the increasing recognition of links between mitochondrial dysfunction and human disease.
Dr. Heidi McBride, Canada Research Chair in Mitochondrial Cell Biology is addressing some of the simplest yet most essential questions in mitochondrial cell biology, such as: How do mitochondria “know” how much energy to make, or how many different metabolites are required in a given cell at a specific time? How do mitochondria stay healthy and shed their oxidized or damaged proteins and lipids? How are they integrated within the immune system, and how and why do they fuse or divide or shed vesicles? In exploring these pathways, McBride and her research team have opened up new areas of study and found direct links to disease processes when these pathways go wrong.
As one of Canada’s leading cell biologists, McBride has established multidisciplinary teams to test her new ideas and hypotheses in disease model systems. These collaborations are essential in identifying potential drug targets in diseases like cancer or Parkinson’s. Ultimately, she hopes her research will provide a new understanding of the role of mitochondria in Canadians’ health.