A member of the Finnish disease heritage, GRACILE syndrome is one of the most severe mitochondrial diseases with onset before birth. Utilizing experimental models of GRACILE syndrome, our research aims at elucidating novel disease mechanisms in mitochondrial diseases and testing treatments. This project is based on our recent findings showing that the oncogene c-MYC drives harmful cell proliferation, leading to premature aging of tissues and a progeroid disease in the mouse model. We aim to dampen this process directly by genetic means and indirectly with drug molecules, hoping to slow down the detrimental accumulation of senescent cells in the tissue and attenuating disease progression.

2024