Poster #004
Investigating Mitochondrial Calcium Levels in Neurodegenerative Dise
Mentors: Fiona Wong, MBChB and Monique Cheung, MBChB; PI: Chengbiao Wu, PhD
Mitochondria are crucial for energy production and calcium homeostasis in neurons. Impaired mitochondria promote an imbalance of mitochondrial calcium (mCa2+) and increase reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, contributing to cellular and neuronal stress. Neurodegenerative diseases linked to mitochondrial dysfunction include Huntington’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s. The mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU), a protein, is essential for calcium uptake and Ca2+ homeostasis. We hypothesize that inhibiting the MCU will reduce calcium uptake. To test this, we cultured PC12 cells to isolate and purify the mitochondria. The MCU is stained with a fluorescent dye to undergo fluorescence microscopy. We will then use imaging software to quantify the mCa2+ levels of each group. This study discusses the changes in mitochondrial dysfunction biomarkers and strategies to combat mitochondrial damage in early stages of neurodegenerative diseases. We hope our findings will guide future studies in discovering new treatments for mitochondrial dysfunction in neurons.