Mitochondria are known as the powerhouses of our cells, but research is revealing their wide role in brain health and links to rare genetic diseases that affect the brain. At UQ’s Queensland Brain Institute, Professor Steven Zuryn, a leading researcher in this field, and PhD student Tessa Onraet are investigating how keeping mitochondria healthy may help brain function. By studying tiny but experimentally powerful worms, C. elegans, their discoveries may help us understand more about the ageing brain and potential treatments for neurodegenerative diseases.   

In this engaging conversation, Steven and Tessa discuss:

• Mitochondria’s role in evolution
• The unique DNA inside mitochondria
• Why tiny worms called C.elegans are useful for studying mitochondria
• How our brain cells react to damaged mitochondria
• The future of mitochondria research

Related papers and resources

• Digging deep into distinctly different DNA
• C. elegans as a model to study mitochondrial biology and disease