Infographic: Mitochondria, the Cellular Processors

Following decades of being called “the powerhouse of the cell,” researchers recently proposed a new description that reflects the multifaceted roles of mitochondria.

Written byDanielle Gerhard, PhD
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Mitochondria are diverse and multifaceted, and they exhibit a high degree of heterogeneity across tissues.1

Infographic showing the multifaceted role of mitochondria
Designed by ashleigh campsall

Dynamic interplay across these domains allows these shape-shifting organelles to respond to their environments. In this evolving framework, mitochondria are viewed as cellular processors.2

  1. Monzel AS, et al. Nat Metab. 2023;5(4):546-562.
  2. Picard M, Shirihai OS. Cell Metab. 2023;34(11):1620-1653.

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Meet the Author

  • Black and white photo of Danielle Gerhard

    Danielle is a Senior Editor at The Scientist. She earned her PhD in psychology and behavioral neuroscience from Yale University and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in neuroscience Weill Cornell Medicine. Her research explored the cellular and molecular mechanisms of stress and depression across development. She has served as editor-in-chief of the Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine, contributed stories to BioTechniques News and Drug Discovery News, and engaged in various science outreach initiatives across Connecticut and NYC.

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Published In

December 2023 issue cover
Winter 2023

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