The current project aims to describe the phenomenon of mitochondrial exchange in salmon and zebra fish - how this occur, analysis of transcriptomic and proteomic responses during mitochondrial exchange, and examine this phenomenon in vivo in a zebrafish model system.
Mitochondria generate most of the chemical energy needed to fuel the cells biochemical reactions. It is clear that mitochondria also participate in innate defence against pathogens (viruses and bacteria) and are also able to produce signalling molecules central in the pathogen defence.
It is also known that mitochondria can be transferred from one cell to another following cellular stress and tissue damage. How this transfer occurs is not clear yet, though there are indications that cells secrete vesicles and forms tunnels which may be a way of transfer.
The project aims to characterise mitochondrial exchange by stressing cells by immunostimulants and nano plastics.
Characterisation of mitochondrial exchange will be observed using high-end nanoscopy, whereas the cellular responses will be assessed by proteomic and transcriptomic analysis.
The project will produce knowledge how cell may communicate with each other, what stressors that induce this phenomenon, and the biological impact this has on fish.
