2022 Fiscal Year Research-status Report

Characterisation of novel mitochondrial sheet formation in yeast

Research Project

Project/Area Number	21K15083
Research Institution	Tokyo Institute of Technology
Principal Investigator	May Alexander 東京工業大学, 科学技術創成研究院, 助教 (50836400)
Project Period (FY)	2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
Keywords	Mitochondria / Membrane dynamics / Respiration / Cell structure
Outline of Annual Research Achievements	Over the previous 12 months, I have made further progress into determining the ultrastructural properties of mitochondrial membrane sheets, utilising methods including electron tomography, cryo-electron microscopy and fluorescence microscopy. With colleagues, I have also made progress in modelling the dynamics of mitochondrial sheet formation. Together, this has brought the project to an advanced stage, and I am currently preparing the results of my research for publication. I have also collaborated with colleagues on several additional papers related to this research question which have either been accepted as papers, or are currently in the review process. I plan to continue to build on this research over the coming year.
Current Status of Research Progress	Current Status of Research Progress 2: Research has progressed on the whole more than it was originally planned. Reason My project is progressing smoothly, but has experienced some delays due to two key collaborating researchers taking parental leave. I am currently preparing a manuscript for submission based on the work carried out as part of this project.
Strategy for Future Research Activity	I am currently preparing a manuscript for publication based on the research funded by this grant. I have identified several additional experiments that will need to be performed before submission, and will also need to respond to reviewer feedback following submission of the paper. For these reasons, the key work that needs to be done over the coming year involved the tying-up of loose ends of this project and ensuring that it is published in a complete form.
Causes of Carryover	I was able to realise substantial saving on research costs last year due to pro bono electron microscopy work performed by collaborating researchers, as well as inability to travel due to covid-19-related travel restrictions. I will roll this funding over into FY2023 to continue my work and present my findings to the research community at conferences both in Japan and internationally.