Broad Institute leads study on mitochondrial evolution across life forms

A research consortium led by the Broad Institute, Mass General Brigham, Harvard Medical School, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and Boston University has completed the MitoCarta Tree of Life project. This initiative provides the most extensive study to date of the proteins composing mitochondria across various branches of the tree of life.

By analyzing the mitochondrial proteomes of one plant and five single-celled pathogens, researchers identified unexpected organelle functions and gained insights into the evolution of eukaryotes. The findings, published across nine scientific papers and a commentary in Cell, also highlight potential new drug targets for neglected tropical diseases that affect millions of people annually.