The Arkansas Integrative Metabolic Research Center (AIMRC) will host Thomas Hurd, associate professor in the Department of Molecular Genetics at the University of Toronto at 12:55 p.m. Wednesday, Nov.13, in Bell Engineering 2267. In his talk, he will touch upon the role of mitochondrial fission and fusion, mitochondrial autophagy and mtDNA degradation.

Abstract: In nearly all species, including humans, mtDNA is subject to high mutation rates and undergoes little recombination, making it susceptible to the accumulation of deleterious mutations. Left unchecked, this increased genetic load would ultimately result in mitochondrial dysfunction and the decline of the species via Muller's ratchet. To prevent this, the female germline has evolved an essential, but thus far poorly understood, purifying selection mechanism to purge itself of mutant mtDNA. I will discuss our recent work exploring the mechanism of mtDNA quality control in the Drosophila female germline. In particular, I will touch upon the role of mitochondrial fission and fusion, mitochondrial autophagy and mtDNA degradation in this process.

Biography: Hurd's laboratory uses a combination of genetics, microscopy and DNA sequencing to understand how mitochondria are inherited through the female germline and to investigate the role mitochondria play in germline stem cell function, fate and differentiation. Throughout his career, his research has focused on studying mitochondria, first in mammalian systems using biochemistry and later in Drosophila using genetics and microscopy. Hurd's laboratory receives funding through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research Project Grant Program (the Canadian equivalent of an R01) and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada's Discovery Grant Program.

This event is supported by NIGMS of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number P20GM139768. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

Pizza and beverages will be served. Please contact Kimberley Fuller, fullerk@uark.edu, for more information.

For those unable to attend in person, this seminar will also be available via Zoom.