New preprint from the lab!
We showed for the first time that mitochondrial genome editing can be applied to healthy iPSCs to generate precise models of mtDNA diseases like Leigh syndrome.
Thanks to all coauthors and funders!
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
We showed for the first time that mitochondrial genome editing can be applied to healthy iPSCs to generate precise models of mtDNA diseases like Leigh syndrome.
Thanks to all coauthors and funders!
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
Mitochondrial genome editing reveals the impact of complex I heteroplasmic variants on human neurogenesis
Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variants, whether maternally inherited or acquired somatically during aging, can be particularly detrimental to cells that rely on mitochondrial metabolism such as neurons. T...
www.biorxiv.org
October 30, 2026 at 11:55 AM
New preprint from the lab!
We showed for the first time that mitochondrial genome editing can be applied to healthy iPSCs to generate precise models of mtDNA diseases like Leigh syndrome.
Thanks to all coauthors and funders!
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
We showed for the first time that mitochondrial genome editing can be applied to healthy iPSCs to generate precise models of mtDNA diseases like Leigh syndrome.
Thanks to all coauthors and funders!
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
The Role of Nuclear and Mitochondrial DNA in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis: Molecular Insights into Susceptibility and Dysfunction
by Wesam Elremaly, Mohamed Elbakry, Yasaman Vahdani, Anita Franco and Alain Moreau
7 November, 2025
#ME/CFS #nDNA #mtDNA
by Wesam Elremaly, Mohamed Elbakry, Yasaman Vahdani, Anita Franco and Alain Moreau
7 November, 2025
#ME/CFS #nDNA #mtDNA
www.mdpi.com
November 3, 2026 at 2:19 PM
One of my favorite terms in #evolution: Mother's Curse. Mutations harmful to males are expected to accumulate in the maternally transmitted mitochondria. Hence, the somewhat Freudian, Mother's Curse. www.cell.com/trends/ecolo...
Mother's curse: the effect of mtDNA on individual fitness and population viability
The mitochondrial genome is considered generally to be an innocent bystander in adaptive
evolution; however, there is increasing evidence that mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is
an important contributor to ...
www.cell.com
November 3, 2026 at 7:08 PM
One of my favorite terms in #evolution: Mother's Curse. Mutations harmful to males are expected to accumulate in the maternally transmitted mitochondria. Hence, the somewhat Freudian, Mother's Curse. www.cell.com/trends/ecolo...
FYI except for the mtDNA in the 4th clip of the video, all labels are Spirochrome live cell probes!
October 29, 2026 at 7:50 PM
FYI except for the mtDNA in the 4th clip of the video, all labels are Spirochrome live cell probes!
really sounds like we just absorbed them. And Neanderthals absorbed an early sapiens OOA movement, the ones that replaced their mtDNA
Also sounds like Neanderthals were a lot more like sapiens than previously thought. A site was found with extensive woodworking. Evidence of long distance trade
Also sounds like Neanderthals were a lot more like sapiens than previously thought. A site was found with extensive woodworking. Evidence of long distance trade
November 1, 2026 at 8:07 AM
really sounds like we just absorbed them. And Neanderthals absorbed an early sapiens OOA movement, the ones that replaced their mtDNA
Also sounds like Neanderthals were a lot more like sapiens than previously thought. A site was found with extensive woodworking. Evidence of long distance trade
Also sounds like Neanderthals were a lot more like sapiens than previously thought. A site was found with extensive woodworking. Evidence of long distance trade
while mtDNA haplogroup J expanded into Europe and became widespread among European maternal lineages.
October 31, 2026 at 7:18 AM
while mtDNA haplogroup J expanded into Europe and became widespread among European maternal lineages.
Finishing off #BatAppreciationMonth with vampire bats🦇 Tavares et al. (2022) used ancient DNA from yellow-eared Vampyressa to sequence mtDNA and test species boundaries for this cryptic species: buff.ly/cqzT6DW
#vampirebats #systematics #biodiversity 🎃 Happy Halloween from all of us at SAB!
#vampirebats #systematics #biodiversity 🎃 Happy Halloween from all of us at SAB!
October 30, 2026 at 11:45 AM
Finishing off #BatAppreciationMonth with vampire bats🦇 Tavares et al. (2022) used ancient DNA from yellow-eared Vampyressa to sequence mtDNA and test species boundaries for this cryptic species: buff.ly/cqzT6DW
#vampirebats #systematics #biodiversity 🎃 Happy Halloween from all of us at SAB!
#vampirebats #systematics #biodiversity 🎃 Happy Halloween from all of us at SAB!
I know all about the Guarani. Female mtDNA B is frequently the leading or a prominent lineage (such as Haplogroup B2), accounting for up to 63% of native lineages, depending on the specific region.
November 1, 2026 at 5:39 AM
I know all about the Guarani. Female mtDNA B is frequently the leading or a prominent lineage (such as Haplogroup B2), accounting for up to 63% of native lineages, depending on the specific region.
(4/4) Overall we show selection on sex-linked egg color genes has led to degeneration of the W chromosome, taking the mtDNA along with it. We also show compensatory evolution of nuclear-encoded oxidative-phosphorylation genes. The link: rdcu.be/WPNbsXfQjuQa
October 27, 2026 at 2:10 PM
(4/4) Overall we show selection on sex-linked egg color genes has led to degeneration of the W chromosome, taking the mtDNA along with it. We also show compensatory evolution of nuclear-encoded oxidative-phosphorylation genes. The link: rdcu.be/WPNbsXfQjuQa
A paper using RRID:AB_2848213 from @proteintech.bsky.social was just published in Science. Thanks for making your methods matter! #ReproducibleResearch #methodsmatter #RRID
BAK and BAX form a multiprotein complex to drive mtDNA efflux and caspase-independent cell death
Read the full paper: BAK and BAX form a multiprotein complex to drive mtDNA efflux and caspase-independent cell death
doi.org
October 30, 2026 at 7:08 AM
A paper using RRID:AB_2848213 from @proteintech.bsky.social was just published in Science. Thanks for making your methods matter! #ReproducibleResearch #methodsmatter #RRID
Mitochondrial haplogroup J originated in West Asia and expanded into Europe and became widespread among European maternal lineages.
discover.familytreedna.com/mtdna/J1c5a3...
discover.familytreedna.com/mtdna/J1c5a3...
Welcome to FamilyTreeDNA Discover
Discover more about your paternal ancestry and join in on the research!
discover.familytreedna.com
October 31, 2026 at 7:29 AM
Mitochondrial haplogroup J originated in West Asia and expanded into Europe and became widespread among European maternal lineages.
discover.familytreedna.com/mtdna/J1c5a3...
discover.familytreedna.com/mtdna/J1c5a3...
I suppose I should be clear that in 2000 we could not sequence genomes at all, let alone W chromosomes… I PCR amplified little chunks of mtDNA and assembled them together …
October 27, 2026 at 3:25 PM
I suppose I should be clear that in 2000 we could not sequence genomes at all, let alone W chromosomes… I PCR amplified little chunks of mtDNA and assembled them together …
Where Y-DNA haplogroup J1 and mtDNA haplogroup J overlap in ancient West Asia 🧬
Both lineages have deep histories in West Asia, with their geographic distributions overlapping across the Levant, Mesopotamia, the Zagros, the Armenian Highland and the Caucasus,
Both lineages have deep histories in West Asia, with their geographic distributions overlapping across the Levant, Mesopotamia, the Zagros, the Armenian Highland and the Caucasus,
October 31, 2026 at 7:18 AM
Where Y-DNA haplogroup J1 and mtDNA haplogroup J overlap in ancient West Asia 🧬
Both lineages have deep histories in West Asia, with their geographic distributions overlapping across the Levant, Mesopotamia, the Zagros, the Armenian Highland and the Caucasus,
Both lineages have deep histories in West Asia, with their geographic distributions overlapping across the Levant, Mesopotamia, the Zagros, the Armenian Highland and the Caucasus,
🤯 Inheritance Pattern
🤯 Maternal Inheritance:
Offspring inherit their mtDNA exclusively from their mother's egg cell.
🤯 Non-Recombinant:
Unlike nuclear DNA, mtDNA does not undergo recombination during sexual reproduction, preserving lineage data through generations.
🤯 Maternal Inheritance:
Offspring inherit their mtDNA exclusively from their mother's egg cell.
🤯 Non-Recombinant:
Unlike nuclear DNA, mtDNA does not undergo recombination during sexual reproduction, preserving lineage data through generations.
October 26, 2026 at 10:08 AM
🤯 Inheritance Pattern
🤯 Maternal Inheritance:
Offspring inherit their mtDNA exclusively from their mother's egg cell.
🤯 Non-Recombinant:
Unlike nuclear DNA, mtDNA does not undergo recombination during sexual reproduction, preserving lineage data through generations.
🤯 Maternal Inheritance:
Offspring inherit their mtDNA exclusively from their mother's egg cell.
🤯 Non-Recombinant:
Unlike nuclear DNA, mtDNA does not undergo recombination during sexual reproduction, preserving lineage data through generations.
交雑が広くみられたのと同時に，少なくとも今回解析した限りでは，F2以降の交雑個体やmtDNAの浸透は確認されず，両種の間に何らかの生殖隔離機構があることが示唆されました。「交雑可能なのにどうして混ざりきってしまわないのか？」という問いにも迫りうるおもしろい魚たちだと思っています。今後も研究を掘り下げていくつもりです。
October 27, 2026 at 1:18 PM
交雑が広くみられたのと同時に，少なくとも今回解析した限りでは，F2以降の交雑個体やmtDNAの浸透は確認されず，両種の間に何らかの生殖隔離機構があることが示唆されました。「交雑可能なのにどうして混ざりきってしまわないのか？」という問いにも迫りうるおもしろい魚たちだと思っています。今後も研究を掘り下げていくつもりです。
That's not quite scientifically true. Men carry Mtdna & Ydna (X & Y chromosomes respectively) which can be traced back to the first woman AND man in his line. Women carry two X chromosomes which are Mtdna & trace back to the first women in the mother's line & the father's maternal line.
October 26, 2026 at 4:53 AM
That's not quite scientifically true. Men carry Mtdna & Ydna (X & Y chromosomes respectively) which can be traced back to the first woman AND man in his line. Women carry two X chromosomes which are Mtdna & trace back to the first women in the mother's line & the father's maternal line.
Research Spotlight | A newly identified mitochondrial death pathway: What is baciptosis?
A study in Science reveals how activated BAX and BAK assemble with VDAC1/2 and prohibitins (PHB1/2) into a multiprotein complex that drives mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) efflux and caspase-independent cell death.
A study in Science reveals how activated BAX and BAK assemble with VDAC1/2 and prohibitins (PHB1/2) into a multiprotein complex that drives mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) efflux and caspase-independent cell death.
October 30, 2026 at 12:30 PM
Research Spotlight | A newly identified mitochondrial death pathway: What is baciptosis?
A study in Science reveals how activated BAX and BAK assemble with VDAC1/2 and prohibitins (PHB1/2) into a multiprotein complex that drives mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) efflux and caspase-independent cell death.
A study in Science reveals how activated BAX and BAK assemble with VDAC1/2 and prohibitins (PHB1/2) into a multiprotein complex that drives mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) efflux and caspase-independent cell death.
(2/4) This started out as a grad school side project for me! In my first talk ever ~2000 @sse-evolution.bsky.social I talked about accelerated mtDNA evolution in brood parasites. But it took us until now to figure out WHY! (our hypothesis 25 years ago, drift in small populations parasites was wrong)
October 27, 2026 at 2:10 PM
(2/4) This started out as a grad school side project for me! In my first talk ever ~2000 @sse-evolution.bsky.social I talked about accelerated mtDNA evolution in brood parasites. But it took us until now to figure out WHY! (our hypothesis 25 years ago, drift in small populations parasites was wrong)
現象記載の短報ですが，内容・データは充実しています。これまでで最も包括的なアブラハヤとタカハヤのmtDNA系統地理を背景に，焦点の琵琶湖流入河川でゲノムワイドデータを用いた集団構造解析と交雑解析を行いました。本研究で使用したmtDNAデータは共著の田畑さんと渡辺さんが中心となりたくさんの方々の協力を得て集めたもの，ゲノムワイドデータは共著で後輩の橋口さんが中心となって丁寧に収集してくれたものです。お力添えいただいた方々に感謝するとともに，ハヤたちのデータを世に送り出すことができてほっとしています。
October 27, 2026 at 1:18 PM
現象記載の短報ですが，内容・データは充実しています。これまでで最も包括的なアブラハヤとタカハヤのmtDNA系統地理を背景に，焦点の琵琶湖流入河川でゲノムワイドデータを用いた集団構造解析と交雑解析を行いました。本研究で使用したmtDNAデータは共著の田畑さんと渡辺さんが中心となりたくさんの方々の協力を得て集めたもの，ゲノムワイドデータは共著で後輩の橋口さんが中心となって丁寧に収集してくれたものです。お力添えいただいた方々に感謝するとともに，ハヤたちのデータを世に送り出すことができてほっとしています。
After so many years, I have finally a website plamartinlab.org
plamartinlab – mtDNA and Mitochondrial Quality Control
plamartinlab.org
October 24, 2026 at 5:34 PM
After so many years, I have finally a website plamartinlab.org
BAX and BAK, the regulators of apoptosis, can also drive release of mitochondrial DNA and caspase-independent cell death. The authors purified a macromolecular complex of BAK, BAX, activator BH3-only proteins, VDAC1, VDAC2 and prohibitins that releases mtDNA from mitoplasts.
October 25, 2026 at 9:52 AM
BAX and BAK, the regulators of apoptosis, can also drive release of mitochondrial DNA and caspase-independent cell death. The authors purified a macromolecular complex of BAK, BAX, activator BH3-only proteins, VDAC1, VDAC2 and prohibitins that releases mtDNA from mitoplasts.
Though in this context MRCA, most recent common ancestor, is the better term. Mitochondrial Eve's mitochondrial DNA is the MRCA of all extant human mtDNA.
October 27, 2026 at 11:25 PM
Though in this context MRCA, most recent common ancestor, is the better term. Mitochondrial Eve's mitochondrial DNA is the MRCA of all extant human mtDNA.
It very much is available to the average genealogist, and has been for many years; you can get a full sequence MtDNA test for under $200, and will be matched to others in the testing database who share your MtDNA haplotype.
October 26, 2026 at 11:53 PM
It very much is available to the average genealogist, and has been for many years; you can get a full sequence MtDNA test for under $200, and will be matched to others in the testing database who share your MtDNA haplotype.
Respiration-deficient cells require pyruvate carboxylase to suppress asparagine auxotrophy
->Nature | More on "Mitochondrial DNA and cellular respiration" at BigEarthData.ai
->Nature | More on "Mitochondrial DNA and cellular respiration" at BigEarthData.ai
Respiration-deficient cells require pyruvate carboxylase to suppress asparagine auxotrophy
To explore how varying degrees of mtDNA heteroplasmy affect cell viability and proliferation, a set of isogenic RPE clones with stable mtDNA heteroplasmy from 3% to 99% for a ScaI-induced mitochondrial deletion (mtDNAΔScaI, diagrammed in Extended Data Fig. 1a) was chosen for study20. The reported heteroplasmy levels of these clones were reconfirmed by droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) (Fig. 1a). Seahorse analysis of mitochondrial respiration revealed that both basal and maximal oxygen consumption rates (OCRs) declined as the ratio of mtDNAΔScaI to total mtDNA increased (Fig. 1b,c and Extended Data Fig. 1b), displaying a near-linear relationship. Although reports have linked mtDNA heteroplasmy to impaired NADH oxidation, the cellular NADH/NAD+ ratio remained unchanged in clones with ≤55% heteroplasmy. A significant increase emerged only in the clones that had 85% or greater heteroplasmy (Fig. 1d). Levels of the ETC components also remained stable in clones with ≤55% heteroplasmy, whereas in higher heteroplasmic clones, proteins in complexes I–IV were reduced but the complex V-associated protein ATP5A remained constant (Extended Data Fig. 1c). Cells with high heteroplasmy also exhibited reduced levels of the TCA metabolites citrate and malate, and tracing of [U-13C]glucose revealed a decreased fraction of (m + 2) citrate and malate (Extended Data...
www.nature.com
October 27, 2026 at 8:23 PM
We wrote a short forum piece with @sulianamanley.bsky.social discussing the dynamic puzzle of mitochondrial DNA #mtDNA regulation across scales. Thank you @cp-trendsgenetics.bsky.social @cellpress.bsky.social for the invitation!
Open-access article: authors.elsevier.com/sd/article/S...
Open-access article: authors.elsevier.com/sd/article/S...
Mitochondrial genome homeodynamics across scales
Mechanisms that maintain the mitochondrial genome, termed mitochondrial DNA homeodynamics, span vastly different spatial and temporal scales. A multis…
authors.elsevier.com
October 25, 2026 at 11:25 AM
We wrote a short forum piece with @sulianamanley.bsky.social discussing the dynamic puzzle of mitochondrial DNA #mtDNA regulation across scales. Thank you @cp-trendsgenetics.bsky.social @cellpress.bsky.social for the invitation!
Open-access article: authors.elsevier.com/sd/article/S...
Open-access article: authors.elsevier.com/sd/article/S...