Eukaryotic cells are enclosed by a plasma membrane. Inside the plasma membrane, there are many other membranes, which define the external boundary and the spatial identity of intracellular compartments, or organelles. Many organelles have very distinct shapes and subcellular localizations but they are also dynamic and they interact with each other. The proper morphology and spatial distribution of organelles are important for many key cellular processes including signaling, polarization, and development. The goal of the Aydin lab is to understand how organelles adapt their morphology and spatial distribution to changing cellular conditions and how proteins and protein complexes that are associated with membranes regulate the structure and function of the organelles in cells.
Mitochondria are essential eukaryotic organelles that are involved in numerous key cellular functions, including energy production, metabolism, signaling, and regulated cell death. Our research interests are largely directed towards elucidating the molecular mechanism of regulated mitochondrial morphology for developing a molecular understanding of mitochondrial function in human cells. We are particularly interested in learning how mitochondrial protein networks communicate cellular signals to regulate mitochondrial morphology and function, and how perturbations of this interplay underlie the development and progression of the disease. We primarily utilize structural methods such as electron cryo-microscopy (cryo-EM), biochemistry, biophysics, and cell biology tools to study the molecular mechanisms that regulate mitochondrial dynamics. Characterizing the mechanisms that govern mitochondrial morphology and function will enable us to therapeutically manipulate mitochondria in the future. We aim to bridge detailed structural studies with a deeper knowledge of mitochondrial function to advance our understanding of how cellular machines function normally, and how they are corrupted by disease.
