Research interests

Research in our lab is centered on studies of mitochondrial biogenesis in health and disease.  Our focus is on mitochondrial DNA transactions, which represent the first phase of the mitochondrial life cycle. We use a multi-disciplinary strategy to study mtDNA replication and transcription, and their regulation by nuclear-mitochondrial communication, including biochemical, molecular genetic, structural and computational approaches to understand enzyme and protein function in both the human and Drosophila systems.  We translate our findings into biological models of mitochondrial function and dysfunction in fly cell culture and in animals.  In collaboration with Howy Jacobs here in IBT at U. Tampere, we are also exploring the effects of mtDNA haplotype on mtDNA copy number, organismal fitness and longevity.

We currently have open positions for professional researchers and postdoctoral fellows in both the protein and mtDNA projects that are funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health, Academy of Finland and the FinMit Centre of Excellence in Research on Mitochondrial Disease and Ageing.  Applicants for these positions, and interested Finnish M.S. and Ph.D. candidates, are welcome to submit a statement of research interests and qualifications, curriculum vitae and letters of reference to laurie.s.kaguni@uta.fi.  Opportunities area available to work both at the U. Tampere, FI and Michigan State Univ., U.S.A.

Projects

1. Nuclear-mitochondrial interactions in Drosophila models of human disease
2. Biophysical analysis of the mitochondrial replisome