Researchers think our cellular powerhouses may be responsible for aging
Unravelling the mysteries of aging requires a multi-disciplinary approach, but as scientists gather more evidence the possibility of slowing, or reversing aging becomes more of a reality
Key takeaways
- In addition to powering cells, mitochondria serve important roles in coordinating metabolism, Lee said.
- In trying to determine how the mitochondria are involved in ageing, many researchers have studied the signals sent from the nucleus to the mitochondria and how they change with age.
Cite or link to this article
Griffin, M. (2016) 'Researchers think our cellular powerhouses may be responsible for aging', 311 Institute, 10 November. Available at: https://www.311institute.com/researchers-think-our-cellular-powerhouses-may-be-responsible-for-aging/ (Accessed: 1 October 2026).
Mitochondria, the structures within cells mostly known for converting nutrients into usable energy, may play a larger and more direct role in the aging process than previously thought, according to University of Southern California Leonard Davis School of Gerontology Assistant Professor David Lee.
In addition to powering cells, mitochondria serve important roles in coordinating metabolism, Lee said. And evidence has shown that mitochondria, which have their own smaller genome separate from the larger collection of genes in a cell’s nucleus, lose function and experience DNA damage during the aging process, reflecting a role in aging.
In trying to determine how the mitochondria are involved in ageing, many researchers have studied the signals sent from the nucleus to the mitochondria and how they change with age. However, Lee theorises that the communication between the cell’s powerhouse and its control center may be taking place in both directions, with signalling molecules originally coded in the mitochondrial DNA regulating the cells nucleus and causing changes that affect some of the key cellular factors of ageing, such as metabolism.
“Despite the fact we have two genomes, one in the nucleus and one in mitochondria, most of the focus has been put on the cells 'nuclear' genome. Mitochondrial signalling has emerged as a key regulator of aging, but the signals that have been described to date are not encoded in the mitochondrial genome,” Lee said.
“This cellular coordination requires communication, and some of the messengers may be encoded in the mitochondrial genome, we are trying to explore the mitochondrial genome to see how the two communicate and how that will influence the regulation of aging.”
Supported by a newly announced Junior Faculty Grant from the American Federation for Aging Research (AFAR), Lee hopes to determine the age dependent impact of MOTS-c on metabolic aging in mice, including physical performance. His findings will hopefully illuminate the roles mitochondria play in the regulation of ageing metabolism and lead to new therapies for age-related diseases.
On receiving the $100,000 grant, Lee said, “AFAR has been a major advocate and sponsor for aging research and is a pillar of the aging field that nurtured countless discoveries. AFAR is my laboratory’s mitochondria that supports the evolution of our research, it powers our laboratory in various ways.”
What this means for your organisation
The signal may run both ways.
Most researchers have studied signals sent from the nucleus to the mitochondria, while this work asks whether messengers coded in the smaller genome regulate the nucleus instead. Reversing the assumed direction opens a new line of enquiry. Research leaders should ask where their own field has only ever looked one way.
Attention follows the bigger dataset.
Cells carry two genomes, yet almost all focus has gone to the larger one in the nucleus. The smaller store was neglected rather than ruled out. Teams should audit which parts of their own data have never been examined.
Ageing work needs many disciplines.
Mitochondria power cells and also coordinate metabolism, so their role spans several specialisms. Unpicking ageing needs evidence from across them. Funders should back cross disciplinary teams rather than single laboratories.
Three questions for your next leadership meeting
- Where has our field only ever looked in one direction?
- Which of our data has never been examined?
- Do we fund single teams or cross disciplinary work?
The trends and technologies behind this story
From the 311 Starburst, the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit’s map of the technologies and trends shaping the next 50 years.
Analysis by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit, from Matthew Griffin’s article and 311 data. First published on Fanatical Futurist.
FAQ
Why does this matter?
Unravelling the mysteries of aging requires a multi-disciplinary approach, but as scientists gather more evidence the possibility of slowing, or reversing aging becomes more of a reality
About the author
Matthew Griffin Founder, President and Futurist, 311 Institute
Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath."
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Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath." 17-time best selling author of the "Codex of the Future" series, Matthew is the Founder, President and Futurist of the 311 Institute, a global Futures and Deep Futures advisory firm working with royal households, world leaders, G7, G20, and G77 governments, NGOs, and multi-national mid and mega cap firms to help them explore, shape, and lead the next 50 years of business and society.
An award-winning YouTube creator with over a million followers, with an unrivalled global reach and impact, Matthew is a highly sought-after international keynote speaker, lecturer, and mentor who collaborates with global leaders through the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to shape pivotal initiatives such as the UN’s AI for Humanity programme, the United Nations Conference of the Parties (UN COP), and the World Economic Forum in Davos.
As the former Global Head of Cloud, National Security, and Enterprise Sales for companies including Atos, Dell-EMC, and IBM, Matthew has a proven track record of building multi-billion dollar business units and turning failing divisions into market leaders. His ability to identify, analyse, and communicate the implications of hundreds of emerging technologies and trends is unparalleled, and his insights are trusted by many of the world’s most respected organisations, including ABB, Accenture, Adidas, AON, ARM, BCG, Centrica, Citi, Coca-Cola, Dentons, Deloitte, Dow Jones, EY, Google, KPMG, Lego, Legal & General, LinkedIn, Microsoft, PepsiCo, Qualcomm, RWE, Samsung, Siemens AG and Siemens Energy, T-Mobile, UBS, VISA, Walmart, Workday, Worldpay and many others.
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Sources and further reading
- Mitochondrion en.wikipedia.org
- University of Southern California usc.edu
- American Federation for Aging Research afar.org
Source: first published by the 311 Institute on 10 November 2016. Cite as: Griffin, M. (2016). Researchers think our cellular powerhouses may be responsible for aging. 311 Institute. https://www.311institute.com/researchers-think-our-cellular-powerhouses-may-be-responsible-for-aging/
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