# Horizontal mtDNA Exchange

> **NIH NIH R01** · OREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $559,303

## Abstract

Project Summary:
Mitochondria are cytoplasmic organelles, critical to basic cellular function due to their principal role in energy
production and mitochondrial dysfunction is implicated in the etiology of many human diseases. They contain
their own genome (mtDNA) that is transmitted maternally. Current dogma holds that mammalian cells transmit
their nuclear and mitochondrial genomes exclusively vertically to daughter cells, during cell divisions. However,
and rather unexpectedly, our preliminary studies have demonstrated horizontal exchange of mitochondria and
mtDNA between cells that are not in a parent-offspring relationship. The objective of this proposal is to test our
main hypothesis that horizontal mtDNA transfer is common during normal development and is critical to maintain
or rescue the metabolic potential of cells. Our team seeks to uncover genetic, epigenetic and cellular
mechanisms governing horizontal mtDNA acquisition and find answers on how, when and why cells within a
body donate and accept mtDNA. The ultimate goal is to understand mtDNA stability in high energy-demanding
organs and tissues, particularly during aging. Our research will likely have a significant impact on our
understanding of mtDNA biology and guide the development of future therapeutic approaches to maintain
mitochondrial genome integrity by experimental mitochondrial transfer and replacement.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9902293
- **Project number:** 5R01AG062459-02
- **Recipient organization:** OREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** SHOUKHRAT MITALIPOV
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $559,303
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-04-01 → 2024-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9902293

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9902293, Horizontal mtDNA Exchange (5R01AG062459-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9902293. Licensed CC0.

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