Our overall goal is the genetic dissection of mitochondrial biogenesis and function in higher organisms. Mitochondria are the cellular organelles responsible for the life-sustaining process of respiration.
Mitochondrial function depends upon the coordinate action of two genomes.
A small but essential genome is found within the mitochondria. This genome is inherited in a non-Mendelian fashion, usually through the maternal parent. Literally hundreds of interacting nuclear genes are also required for mitochondrial function. The powerful approaches of genetic mutation and genetic transformation are problematic with respect to the study of mitochondria in higher organisms because mutations or transformation selection schemes that disrupt mitochondrial function are lethal to organisms that are obligate aerobes. In the S system of CMS in maize, a novel mitochondrial gene initiates a cell death program leading to pollen collapse and male sterility.