Nucleic Acid Metabolism of Human Mitochondria

Mitochondria are organelles involved in a multitude of cellular processes and possess their own DNA (mtDNA). Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) encodes critical components of the respiratory chain, and correct expression and maintenance of mtDNA is essential for  mitochondrial. My lab is interested in the biochemical mechanisms that enable human mitochondria to faithfully replicate and express mtDNA. The expression and maintenance of mtDNA are carried out by a distinct set of proteins, separate from those involved in nuclear DNA expression and maintenance. Our research focuses on understanding how mtDNA replication is initiated, how the mitochondrial RNA polymerase is regulated, the role of DNA-binding proteins, and the impact of non-canonical DNA structures on mtDNA replication and transcription.