Dresden 2026 – wissenschaftliches Programm

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BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik

BP 16: Membranes, Vesicles and Synthetic Life-like Systems II

BP 16.1: Hauptvortrag

Mittwoch, 11. März 2026, 09:30–10:00, BAR/0205

Illuminating mitochondrial permeabilisation in apoptosis — •Ana J. Garcia Saez — Max Planck Institute of Biophysics, Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Mitochondrial permeabilization is a key step in the signaling pathway of apoptosis and in the cell*s commitment to death. It affects the outer and subsequently the inner mitochondrial membranes through the opening of membrane pores via mechanisms that are not fully clear. This releases cytochrome c and SMAC into the cytosol, leading to the activation of caspases, a set of proteases that accelerate cell death and that block inflammation by inactivating intracellular innate immunity effectors. Mitochondrial inner membrane permeabilization additionally releases mtDNA into the cytosol, which in turn activates intracellular innate immunity pathways unless counterbalanced by caspases. Here, I will discuss our work using advanced microscopy methods to advance our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of mitochondrial pores in apoptosis and how they function in the regulation of cell death and of inflammatory signaling outcomes.