The dark side of mitochondria: when the cell's

The dark side of mitochondria: when the cell's "power plants" go out

September marks the beginning of a month when the global community places special focus on mitochondrial diseases. This year, World Mitochondrial Disease Week will take place from September 15–21, 2025, under the theme “Decode the Mito Puzzle – Bridging Science and Symptoms.” The idea is clear: to connect rigorous science with real patient stories and[…]

Heteroplasmy – the hidden individuality of our mitochondria

Heteroplasmy – the hidden individuality of our mitochondria

Each of our cells contains hundreds, even thousands of mitochondria—the small energy “power plants” of the body. Interestingly, they are not always identical. Some mitochondria may carry completely healthy mitochondrial DNA, while others have minor mutations or structural damage. This phenomenon is called mitochondrial heteroplasmy. What does this mean in practice? When mitochondria within the[…]