Mito-Nuclear Interactions

I am an evolutionary biologist and I am investigating the interaction between the mitochondrial and the nuclear genome. A fine-tuned interplay between the two genomes is of great importance as already small mismatches can lead to severe diseases and phenotypic abnormities. To learn which genes in the mitochondrial and/or the nuclear genome are responsible for the disease or phenotypic abnormity I use flies (D. melanogaster) with specific combinations of the two genomes. By investigating the effects of the specific combinations, and how they differ between the combination I can identify candidate genes that may be the trigger for the diseases. With detailed knowledge about the genes that cause the diseases it will be possible to develop therapies or cures for these diseases.