Keynote Speech: Targeting Mitochondrial Channels: Update and Strategies
Keynote Speech: Targeting Mitochondrial Channels: Update and Strategies
In his keynote speech, Prof. Szewczyk will provide the latest insights into the role of mitochondrial channels in cellular function and disease. He will discuss recent advancements and strategic approaches for targeting these channels, highlighting their potential in therapeutic interventions.
About Adam Szewczyk
Adam Szewczyk is a Professor of Biochemistry and former director of the Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology (Polish Academy of Sciences) in Poland, and since 2022, he has served as the President of the Polish Biochemical Society. He completed his chemical studies at Warsaw University and his postdoctoral fellowship at Bern University (Switzerland), Institute of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology-Nice University (France), and at Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD. He is the Head of the Laboratory of Intracellular Ion Channels at Nencki Institute.
His research is focused on the role of ion channels on mitochondrial function and intracellular ion channels pharmacology and biophysical properties of mitochondrial potassium channels.
World Mitochondria Society
Annual World Congress on Targeting Mitochondria
October 22-24, 2025 - Berlin, Germany
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Targeting Mitochondrial Pyruvate Carrier: Impact on Future Metabolic Therapies
Prof. Edmund Kunji from the University of Cambridge will give a major talk entitled Targeting mitochondrial pyruvate carrier: impact on future metabolic therapies, during the Targeting Mitochondria 2025 Congress, which will be held on October 22-24, in Berlin, Germany.
About Prof. Kunji's talk:
Fifty years after the mitochondrial pyruvate carrier (MPC) was first identified, researchers have now resolved its molecular structure and mechanism of action. In a landmark study published in Science Advances, Sichrovsky et al. (2025) unveiled how this critical mitochondrial complex mediates pyruvate transport and how its inhibition could be leveraged for therapeutic purposes in cancer, metabolic disorders, and more.
About his outstanding study:
Major Discoveries of the Study by Prof. Edmund Kunji and his teams
Molecular Structure of MPC:
The authors used cryo-electron microscopy to capture the architecture of the human MPC complex. They discovered that MPC forms a heterodimeric transport unit (MPC1/MPC2), creating a selective channel that guides pyruvate across the inner mitochondrial membrane.
Mechanism of Transport and Inhibition:
The study revealed how small-molecule inhibitors bind to the MPC complex and block its function, offering a blueprint for drug development. Structural analysis pinpointed specific binding sites that explain both transport dynamics and inhibition sensitivity.
Conserved Functionality:
Evolutionary conservation of the MPC mechanism across species (including yeast and human) underscores its universal biological role in cellular energy homeostasis.
Therapeutic Implications
Cancer:
Some tumors overexpress MPC to fuel high mitochondrial activity. MPC inhibitors could starve these cells of essential metabolites, selectively disrupting their growth.
Metabolic Diseases:
In conditions like non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), blocking MPC forces hepatocytes to burn fat instead of relying on glucose, leading to reduced liver fat accumulation.
Regenerative Medicine & Hair Growth:
MPC inhibition has been shown to stimulate lactate production, which may promote hair follicle cell activation, opening potential new treatments for alopecia.
Mitochondrial Dysfunction & Neurodegeneration:
Targeting MPC may allow modulation of energy metabolism in neurodegenerative and mitochondrial diseases, where ATP production and redox balance are impaired.
Broader Impact
Drug Development:
The structural elucidation of MPC provides a molecular framework for designing selective modulators, setting the stage for new classes of metabolic drugs.
Precision Medicine:
Understanding individual differences in MPC structure/function may lead to personalized metabolic therapies tailored to genetic or disease-specific metabolic profiles.
Synthetic Biology & Bioenergetics:
The detailed MPC model can inform the engineering of customized metabolic pathways, supporting advances in synthetic biology, cell therapies, and biotechnology.
Mitochondria & Organelle Crosstalk - Rethinking Organelle Crosstalk: Mitochondrial-Derived Vesicles in Peroxisome Biogenesis Presented by Dr. Ayumu Sugiura
At the heart of cellular metabolism, mitochondria and peroxisomes play tightly interconnected roles in lipid regulation, redox homeostasis, and energy dynamics. While direct contacts between these organelles have long been observed, the mechanisms underlying their communication and biological significance are only beginning to emerge.
In an insightful presentation, Dr. Ayumu Sugiura of Juntendo University, Japan, introduces a compelling hypothesis: mitochondrial-derived vesicles (MDVs) may serve as essential mediators in peroxisome biogenesis. These vesicles, generated by mitochondria in response to cellular cues, could carry lipids, enzymes, or signaling molecules critical for initiating or modulating peroxisomal function.
“Mitochondrial-derived vesicles may provide a missing mechanistic link in understanding how mitochondria influence peroxisome formation and specialization,” says Dr. Sugiura.
His talk emphasized that this vesicular communication is not a byproduct of stress or degradation but a targeted and regulated form of inter-organelle signaling, reflecting a deeper evolutionary connection.
Understanding MDVs and their role in peroxisome biology may open new avenues in treating metabolic disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, and inherited mitochondrial syndromes, where organelle cooperation is often impaired.
This new perspective encourages scientists to rethink organelle crosstalk not as static interactions but as dynamic exchanges of molecular information, and places MDVs at the center of this emerging dialogue.
Targeting Mitochondria 2025, A Record-Breaking Edition Defining the Next Frontier of Medicine
The World Mitochondria Society (WMS) proudly announces an unprecedented level of participation at the 17th World Congress on Targeting Mitochondria, uniting more than 237 academic and institutional partners and over 31 industrial and investment organizations.
This year’s edition represents a turning point in mitochondrial science, where fundamental biology meets translational medicine, biotechnology, and AI-driven innovation. From energy metabolism to organelle communication, mitochondria are emerging as strategic integrators of cellular function, systemic health, and longevity.
“Mitochondria are no longer seen only as the cell’s powerhouse,” said Volkmar Weissig and Marvin Edeas, President and Founder of the WMS.
“We are now decoding their language, how they communicate, adapt, and influence other organelles. This knowledge is redefining how we approach diagnostics, therapeutics, and prevention.”
With record-breaking attendance and scientific diversity, Targeting Mitochondria 2025 will feature:
Australia:
· Deakin University
Belgium:
· ORBI team, URBC, University of Namur
Brazil:
· University of Campinas (UNICAMP)
Bulgaria:
· Institute of Biology and Immunology of Reproduction, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences
Canada:
· Lunella Biotech. Inc.,
Chile:
· IMPACT CENTER, Universidad de Los Andes
China:
· Kunming Medical University · Shanghai jiaotong university
Czech Republic:
· Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague · Institute Of Physiology Of The Czech Acad. Sci. · Institute of Physiology, Czech Academy of Sciences
Finland:
· Tampere University · University of Eastern Finland
France:
· CEA MIRCen CNRS UMR 9199 · INSERM INM · INTERNATIONAL SPACE FEDERATION · L'Oreal R&I · Proya Europe · Université paris Cité, INSERM · University Paris-Saclay; INRAE
Germany:
· Albstadt-Sigmaringen University · Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin · Deutsches Herzzentrum der Charité · Deutsches Herzzentrum der Charite · Universitätsklinikum Erlangen · Dr. Mühlhausen · HAW Albstadt-Sigmaringen · Universitätsklinikum Essen · University Albstadt-Sigmaringen · University Medical Center Göttingen
Greece:
· EK PA
India:
· Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Tirupati, India · National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) - Ahmedabad
Israel:
· Hebrew University of Jerusalem · Minovia Therapeutics Ltd. · Neurim Pharamceuticals · Sheba Medical Center
Italy:
· Crab Sinergy Srl · IDI IRCCS- Fondazione Maria Luigi Monti · Institute of Cristallography, National Council of Research · IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute · National Research Council (CNR) · Polytechnic University of Marche
· Università degli Studi dell'Insubria · Università degli Studi di Bari · University of Milan · University of Padova · University of Salento · University of Turin · University of Verona
Japan:
· Hokkaido University · Kyowa Kirin · National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center Research Institute · Tokyo University of Science
Kazakhstan:
· Nazarbayev University
Lithuania:
· Lithuanian University of Health Sciences
Luxembourg:
· University of Luxembourg
Mexico:
· Universidad de Guanajuato
Monaco:
· Biotech Investor
Netherlands:
· Amsterdam UMC · Maastricht University · Radboud University Department of Microbiology · UMC Utrecht
Norway:
· Miphic · University of Oslo
Poland:
· Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań · Institute of Fundamental Technological Research, Polish Academy of Sciences · Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology PAS · Warsaw University of Life Sciences
· Wroclaw Medical University
Singapore:
· National University of Singapore
Slovakia:
· OVOGENE / IFG
Slovenia:
· University of Ljubljana · University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Pharmacy · University of Maribor
South Korea:
· CHA University · Institute of Endemic Diseases / Seoul National University Medical Research Center · Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) School · Seoul National University College of Medicine
Spain:
· Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares, Madrid, Spain · Universidad de Zaragoza
· University of Oviedo
Sweden:
· Karolinska Institutet · Stockholm Univerisity
Switzerland:
· ETH Zürich · Novartis Biomedical Research
· University of Basel
Turkey:
· Hacettepe University · Koc University · Kocaeli University, Department of Stem Cell
United Kingdom:
· Altos Labs UK · CellSpex Ltd · King’s College London · Northumbria University, Newcastle University · The Roger Williams Institute of Liver Studies · University of Bath · University of Cambridge
United States:
· Aardvark Therapeutics · ASU School of Molecular Sciences · Ciity of Hope National Medical Center · Colossal Biosciences · Labryo Fertility Center · Michael J Fox Foundation · No affiliation · Social Profit Network · Solid Biosciences · Stanford University · Throne Biotechnologies · University of California Los Angeles · University of California San Diego · University of California San Francisco (UCSF) · University of California, San Diego/ Neurosciences · University of South Dakota · UT Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center · Vertex Pharmaceuticals · Wayne State University · Wayne State University, Detroit · West Virginia University
As mitochondria move from passive subjects of research to dynamic targets for intervention, the 2025 Congress will serve as a global platform to chart the path from observation to transformation, from understanding energy to engineering health.
Discover who is attending and explore the full scientific program.
WMS 2025 Awards – Celebrating Scientific Excellence in Mitochondrial Medicine
At Targeting Mitochondria 2025, the World Mitochondria Society honored three outstanding scientific contributions that perfectly reflect the spirit of WMS: bold ideas, rigorous science, and a dynamic vision of mitochondria. These awards celebrate discoveries that connect energy, communication, metabolism, and resilience, reminding us that mitochondria are not static structures, but active players shaping health, disease, and longevity.
Concluding Remarks of WMS 2025
The 16th World Congress on Targeting Mitochondria marked a defining moment for the mitochondrial community. Over three days in Berlin, the discussions made one thing clear: mitochondria are no longer a niche topic of cell biology, they have become a central pillar of modern medicine. In his concluding remarks, Marvin Edeas, Founder and Chairman of the World Mitochondria Society, emphasized that mitochondrial research has entered a new phase.
Welcome to Targeting Mitochondria 2026
Warm regards,
Prof. Volkmar Weissig
President of the World Mitochondria Society
Midwestern University, USA
Call for Abstracts & Innovations
Berlin will host the 17th World Congress of the World Mitochondria Society on October 21–23, 2026. This is more than a call for abstracts. It is a call for ideas, innovations, and translational strategies that move mitochondrial science forward.
