The Foundation for a Cure for Mitochondrial Disease, the MitoCure Foundation, awarded Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine faculty a two-year, $470,000 grant for research.
The grant will be used by the department of pathobiology to study mitochondrial disease.
Carl Pinkert, associate vice president of research, said mitochondrial research dates back to the late '80s, and that a lot is still being learned about the disease.
He said Parkinson's disease and Lee disease are examples of mitochondrial diseases.
"It's a rather new field," said Michael Irwin, associate research professor in pathobiology.
Pinkert said while the field of research is important, it is not receiving appropriate attention.
"There is not sufficient support nationally or internationally," Pinkert said.
The research being done with the grant will be a continuation of research involving antioxidants that earned the grant.
"We're looking at different antioxidant compounds," Pinkert said. "It's based on past research, and we want to step it up."
Pinkert said the ongoing research will focus on validating the use of antioxidants to help repair mitochondrial damage.
"Based on data, we think we've identified a method for rescue and damage repair," Pinkert said. "We're looking at a therapy."
Irwin said mitochondria are cells' powerhouses, and mitochondrial disease is caused by mutations in the mitochondrial DNA.
He said this makes mitochondrial disease inheritable.
"Everyone has two genomes," Irwin said. "One they get from both parents and the mitochondrial DNA you get from your mother."
Irwin said the genetic nature of the disease means it is a disease with some prevalence in children.
"There are hundreds of mitochondria in each cell," Irwin said. "When a certain number have a mutation it is like flipping a switch on or off."
Irwin said symptoms include muscle weakness and fatigue, because of the inability of cells to produce energy.
"Mitochondrial disease affects systems that use lots of energy," Irwin said.
He cited the central nervous system, the brain and optic nerves as potential problem areas with mitochondrial disease
Irwin said mitochondrial disease is often deadly.
Pinkert and Irwin said there is a correlation between mitochondrial mutations and other harmful diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer's disease.
"Mitochondrial mutation is indicated in a wide variety of diseases from aging to cancer," Pinkert said.
He also said the presence of the mutations does not indicate causation.
"It's a chicken or the egg type question," Pinkert said.
Both men said there is urgency to the research.
Irwin said the MitoCure Foundation's significant contribution comes with expectations.
"They want a cure yesterday," said Irwin.
Pinkert expressed gratitude to Bill Cunningham, MitoCure's chairman.
He also said the research would not be possible without collaboration from Boston University's Kosta Steliou, professor emeritus of chemistry.
Despite the promise of research, Pinkert will be leaving Auburn in November to be the vice president of research at the University of Alabama.
"It will still be a continuing collaboration," Pinkert said. "I want to help in any way I can to help this work come to fruition."
Pinkert said he believes the research being done will continue its grant-earning quality, and he considers it part of his future job to encourage collaborative efforts between the two universities.
"We do a lot of things together," Pinkert said. "And we do a lot of things well together."
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