About the Workshop
Mitochondrial gene maintenance and expression is essential for aerobic energy conversion and, therefore, for cellular homeostasis and viability. The mitochondrial genome (mtDNA) encodes key subunits of the oxidative phosphorylation system and RNA components necessary for intramitochondrial translation. All other protein factors mediating mtDNA replication and repair, transcription, post-transcriptional RNA processing and translation are encoded in the nuclear genome. Dysfunction of these mechanisms underlies a great variety of human diseases. Despite recent developments in the identification and characterization of mtDNA maintenance and expression factors, their molecular mechanisms remain often poorly understood. In this workshop we intend to highlight and expose the current frontiers in our understanding of the basic molecular regulatory mechanisms of mitochondrial genes by covering four major topics: 1) Maintenance of mtDNA, 2) Mitochondrial transcription and RNA maturation, 3) Mitoribosome and translation, and 4) Mitochondrial genes in cell homeostasis. The meeting will assemble a group of leading molecular and structural biologists and biochemists studying these processes in various model organisms using interdisciplinary approaches. The planned meeting will be essential to solidifying concepts and defining priorities and new directions, helping to understand the basic, fundamental molecular mechanisms of maintenance and expression of mitochondrial genes.
