MiP2014

MiP2014: Mitochondrial Physiology - a Point/Counterpoint Meeting

The Mitochondrial Physiology Society, Obergurgl, Tyrol, Austria. 2014-Sep-08 to 12

Programme structure

In each of the 12 sessions a point/counterpoint introduction will be given by invited keynote speakers to provide a balanced overview and promote discussions. Short oral presentations are selected from abstracts, including student presentations. Rapid platform statements will introduce posters which contribute to a specific session. Posters are up throughout the meeting, and poster discussions are integrated into the platform sessions.

A. Mitochondrial respiratory control

• A1. mtDNA, mt-phenotype and disease – is there biochemical and molecular-genetic evidence to explain observed associations?
• A2. Fission and fusion, mitochondrial structure and function - is there a tight connection?
• A3. Mitochondrial density and normalization of respiration – is there a general biochemical or molecular marker?
• A4. Biochemical reserve capacity, respiratory control ratios and coupling efficiency – are conventional concepts inconsistent?

B. Experimental protocols in mitochondrial biochemistry

• B1. Incubation media for mt-preparations and experimental temperature in functional studies of mammalian mitochondria – guided by concept or merely tradition?
• B2. Intracellular oxygen pressure versus oxygen regimes in studies of ROS production and respiration - are mitochondria sources or sinks of ROS?
• B3. Quantitative measurement of mt-membrane potential - potentiometric/fluorometric.
• B4. Instrumental platforms in mitochondrial physiology – industrial presentations.

C. Towards quality assurance

• C1. Do blood cells versus muscle biopsies provide valid models for diagnosis of mitochondrial pathologies?
• C2. Integrity of mitochondrial preparations – is a consensus possible on quality control criteria?
• C3. Availability and quality control of chemicals used in mitochondrial research – who controls?
• C4. Standards for the diagnosis of mitochondrial pathologies – a challenge for collaboration with mitochondrial organizations?

Particularly in view of Subtopic C, it may be attractive for mitochondrial organizations to send and support delegates. The conference will, therefore, provide a unique forum for international networking, and may inspire new national groups to be formed in contact with established mitochondrial organizations:

>> MitoGlobal_Organizations

International programme committee

The international programme committee will provide scientific input by active participation, nominate further invited speakers to ensure balanced point/counterpoint introductions, and select the abstracts as a basis for participation (restricted number of participants), for oral short presentations, and for flash presentations. Chair:

• Gnaiger Erich, Medical University Innsbruck, AT. - [email protected]

Members (confirmed):

• Ali Sameh S, Helmy Institute of Medical Sciences, Giza, Egypt
• Borutaite Vilma, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences Kaunas, LT
• Dela Flemming, University of Copenhagen, DK
• Duchen Michael R, University College London, UK
• Elmér Eskil, Lund University, SE
• Koopman Werner J, Radboud Univ Nijmegen Medical Centre, NL
• Ojuka Edward, University of Cape Town, South Africa
• Perry Christopher G, York University, Toronto, Canada
• Wei Yau-Huei, Mackay Medical College, New Taipei City, Taiwan

Members (invited):

• Chakrabarti Sasanka, Institute of Post-graduate Medical Education & Research, Kolkatta, India
• Chen Quan, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nankai University, Beijing
• Haas Richard H, University of California San Diego, CA, USA
• Hickey Anthony J, University of Auckland, NZ
• Neufer P Darrel, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, US
• Rossignol Rodrigue, Université Victor Segalen-Bordeaux, FR
• Tanaka Masashi, Toyko Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, JP
• Vercesi Anibal E, State University of Campinas, Sao Paulo, Brazil
• Zorzano Antonio, Universitat de Barcelona, Spain