Ablation of Sam50 is associated with fragmentation and alterations in metabolism in murine and human myotubes.

The sorting and assembly machinery (SAM) Complex is responsible for assembling β-barrel proteins in the mitochondrial membrane. Comprising three subunits, Sam35, Sam37, and Sam50, the SAM complex connects the inner and outer mitochondrial membranes by interacting with the mitochondrial contact site and cristae organizing system complex. Sam50, in particular, stabilizes the mitochondrial intermembrane space bridging (MIB) complex, which is crucial for protein transport, respiratory chain complex assembly, and regulation of cristae integrity.

A pilot study on our non-traditional, varied writing accountability group for historically excluded and underrepresented persons in STEMM.

Underrepresented faculty have higher burnout rates and lower grant attainment rates when compared with their non-minority counterparts. Many in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine (STEMM) disciplines, including underrepresented individuals, often have difficulty dedicating time to the writing process, with trainees often being relegated to laboratory tasks in their training years, resulting in a lack of practice in academic writing. Notably, past studies have shown that grant attainment rates of underrepresented individuals are lower than their majority counterparts.

Human Heart Failure Alters Mitochondria and Fiber 3D Structure Triggering Metabolic Shifts.

This study, utilizing SBF-SEM, reveals structural alterations in mitochondria and myofibrils in human heart failure (HF). Mitochondria in HF show changes in structure, while myofibrils exhibit increased cross-sectional area and branching. Metabolomic and lipidomic analyses indicate concomitant dysregulation in key pathways.

3D reconstruction of murine mitochondria reveals changes in structure during aging linked to the MICOS complex.

During aging, muscle gradually undergoes sarcopenia, the loss of function associated with loss of mass, strength, endurance, and oxidative capacity. However, the 3D structural alterations of mitochondria associated with aging in skeletal muscle and cardiac tissues are not well described. Although mitochondrial aging is associated with decreased mitochondrial capacity, the genes responsible for the morphological changes in mitochondria during aging are poorly characterized.

Project Strengthen: An STEMM-focused career development workshop to prepare underrepresented minority students for graduate school.

Maximizing Access to Research Careers (MARC) programs are aimed to increase diversity in science, technology, engineering, math, and medicine (STEMM) fields. However, limited programs and eligibility requirements limit the students who may apply to similar programs. At Winston-Salem State University, we piloted a series of workshops, collectively termed to emulate some of the key aspects of MARC programs.

Defining Mitochondrial Cristae Morphology Changes Induced by Aging in Brown Adipose Tissue.

Mitochondria are required for energy production and even give brown adipose tissue (BAT) its characteristic color due to their high iron content and abundance. The physiological function and bioenergetic capacity of mitochondria are connected to the structure, folding, and organization of its inner-membrane cristae. During the aging process, mitochondrial dysfunction is observed, and the regulatory balance of mitochondrial dynamics is often disrupted, leading to increased mitochondrial fragmentation in aging cells.

Defining Mitochondrial Cristae Morphology Changes Induced by Aging in Brown Adipose Tissue.

Mitochondria are required for energy production and even give brown adipose tissue (BAT) its characteristic color due to their high iron content and abundance. The physiological function and bioenergetic capacity of mitochondria are connected to the structure, folding, and organization of its inner-membrane cristae. During the aging process, mitochondrial dysfunction is observed, and the regulatory balance of mitochondrial dynamics is often disrupted, leading to increased mitochondrial fragmentation in aging cells.

Ablation of is associated with fragmentation and alterations in metabolism in murine and human myotubes.

The Sorting and Assembly Machinery (SAM) Complex is responsible for assembling β-barrel proteins in the mitochondrial membrane. Comprising three subunits, Sam35, Sam37, and Sam50, the SAM complex connects the inner and outer mitochondrial membranes by interacting with the mitochondrial contact site and cristae organizing system (MICOS) complex. Sam50, in particular, stabilizes the mitochondrial intermembrane space bridging (MIB) complex, which is crucial for protein transport, respiratory chain complex assembly, and regulation of cristae integrity.