The powerhouse of the brain: how do our cells create the energy we need to think?

Saturday 3 May, 11am–12pm
Location: Gordon Greenwood Building, Room 215

Mitochondria, the unsung heroes of our bodies, are responsible for producing the cellular currency our bodies depend upon to function.

The energy produced by mitochondria allows us to think, learn, remember, and feel. To keep up with our constant demand for energy, mitochondria work tirelessly behind the scenes.

However, energy production isn’t all mitochondria do for our brains – they help our brain cells recover from stress and injury, help them to share information so we can think and perform complex tasks, and share cellular resources between cells. When things go wrong in the brain, mitochondria can step in to protect our cells from further damage.

As such, mitochondria may very well hold the key to unlocking new treatments for neurodegenerative disease.

Join us as we explore the marvellous world of mitochondria and how they power our daily lives.

Meet the presenter

Tessa Onraet is a third-year PhD student in the laboratory of Associate Professor Steven Zuryn at the Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland. Tessa investigates how axons maintain mitochondrial homeostasis to promote neuronal wellbeing in Caenorhabditis elegans. Tessa is passionate about developing our understanding of how mitochondrial dysfunction contributes to disorders affecting the nervous system. Tessa relishes the opportunity to discuss science with both her colleagues and the wider community.