From mitochondria to cells to humans: Targeting bioenergetics in aging and disease

In vivo control over metabolism is at the cutting edge of biomedical research. The particulars of mitochondrial function are especially important to understand in vivo to progress metabolic therapies that will be relevant for diseases of aging. Understanding the differences between how mitochondria function in vitro versus in vivo will be a necessary challenge to overcome to achieve mitochondrial medicine. In this article we outline how dis-coveries in invertebrate models will be informative for understanding the basic biology of mitochondria to streamline translation to mammals and eventually to humans. Further, we highlight examples of how what is known about mitochondria in vitro is translatable to in vivo models and, in some cases, to human diseases.

Automated summary

The article discusses the importance of in vivo control over metabolism in biomedical research, particularly understanding mitochondrial function in vivo for advancing metabolic therapies related to aging. Understanding the differences between in vitro and in vivo mitochondrial function is a necessary challenge for achieving mitochondrial medicine. The article outlines the significance of invertebrate models in understanding basic mitochondrial biology and its translation to mammals and eventually humans, as well as examples of how in vitro knowledge of mitochondria is applicable to in vivo models and human diseases.