Deepthi’s project evaluates the bioenergetics of cybrid cells of different mitochondrial haplogroup background (African and European haplogroups). Mitochondrial respiration is measured using the Seahorse XF24. She is also developing a method to measure membrane potential using Safranin-O on a fluorescent plate reader. The primary aim of this project is to answer the question: Do genetic polymorphisms influence the coupling efficiency of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation?

His dual background in medicine and biomedical engineering allows a unique vantage point on measurement technology and modeling of biological processes. He is experienced in mitochondria- and cell physiology-related, fluorescence microscopy-based technique development. He has designed the oxygen consumption rate calibration algorithm of the Seahorse Extracellular Flux Analyzer “(LEVEL) Direct (AKOS)”. He has developed a set of image processing technologies specifically designed for quantification of mitochondrial calcium, shape changes and motion in fluorescence microscopy recordings. These tools are available to the public in the Image Analyst MKII image processing software. He has studied the role of mitochondrial dynamics in neuronal apoptosis and neurodegeneration, and for the past five years bioenergetics and mitochondrial dysfunction in neurodegenerative disease models and mechanisms of insulin secretion in pancreatic beta cell models. His current interest is the development of mitochondrial membrane potential assays that report potentials in absolute millivolts independently of the plasma membrane potential and geometric factors. This will allow the comparison of different cell types and conditions, together with the Seahorse technology enabling a comprehensive characterization of oxidative energy metabolism in aging and disease models.

Shana has a BA in Politics from Brandeis University, an MA from UCLA in Integrative Biology, and a Ph.D. from UC Davis in Physiology. Her current focus of interest is the role of Sirt3 in mitochondrial bioenergetics.

Shona received her degree in Molecular Genetics from the University of Rochester in 2006. Her graduate work involved identifying and characterizing mechanisms of mitochondrial DNA repair in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. During her first post-doc in the Ellerby Lab at the Buck Institute, she studied the regulation of the polyglutamine-containing protein ataxin-7 by post-translational modification. In her current post-doc in the Brand Lab, she is investigating the mitochondrial uncoupling proteins UCP2 and UCP3, and their regulation by rapid turnover.

As a Research Associate, Ryan develops new mitochondrial and respiration technologies using the Seahorse XF 24.  One project he is currently investigating is looking for a mitochondrial bioenergetic difference in synaptosomes in a Huntington’s Disease mouse model.  Before working at the Buck Institute, Ryan earned his Master’s of Science degree from San Diego State University in Biochemistry.  He performed his graduate research in the area of signal transduction studying the regulation of the Shc adaptor protein.  Ryan earned his Bachelor’s of Science degree from the University of California, Santa Cruz in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

He received his Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Emory University. He is interested in the mechanisms of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and mitochondrial dysfunction in the context of age-related diseases. He utilizes a nondiscrimination policy for his research on site-specific ROS production and a goal of identifying novel investigative tools and therapeutic agents for the targeted modulation of mitochondrial bioenergetics.

Irina received her Ph.D. from the State University of Moscow. She studies sites and mechanisms of reactive oxygen species production in mitochondria, with a particular emphasis on fatty acid oxidation in muscle.

She received her Ph.D. from the University of Bari, Italy where she studied the effects of aging and calorie restriction on TFAM, mtDNA and their binding in aged rat tissues. To complete her PhD project she worked at the University of Florida, Gainesville for one year. During her postdoc, Anna will be identifying bioenergetic dysfunction in a tractable model of Huntington’s disease to discover its mechanism and whether it occurs presymptomatically or postsymptomatically.

Casey received her Ph.D. from Portland State University where she studied mitochondrial physiology in a cardiac model. Current work investigates the mechanisms of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced from the major sites of the electron transport chain. The focus of this work is to determine what controls the ROS production from these sites under physiologically relevant conditions, with the goal of putting this information into a relevant aging and disease paradigm.