Despite detailed knowledge of metabolic pathways, it remains unclear what the spatiotemporal dynamics of energy usage in cells are, how cells partition energy among different cellular processes and the associated energetic constraints. A major challenge is to measure metabolic fluxes in living cells with sufficient spatiotemporal resolution. To overcome this challenge, I developed a biophysical model to infer mitochondrial metabolic fluxes from fluorescence lifetime imaging of NADH. The model is validated by direct measurements of oxygen consumption rate in mouse oocytes and human tissue culture cells, providing a general method to measure metabolic fluxes in living cells with subcellular resolution. Using this method, I discovered homeostasis and heterogeneity of mitochondrial metabolic fluxes in mouse oocytes.
The goal is to use this method to study spatiotemporal regulation of metabolic fluxes, energetic costs of cellular processes and the interplay between energy dissipation and self-organization in cells. I am currently studying how mitochondrial metabolism correlates with spindle self-organization, chromosome segregation and early embryo development. This research could provide insights into the role of mitochondrial dysfunctions in infertility.
The goal is to use this method to study spatiotemporal regulation of metabolic fluxes, energetic costs of cellular processes and the interplay between energy dissipation and self-organization in cells. I am currently studying how mitochondrial metabolism correlates with spindle self-organization, chromosome segregation and early embryo development. This research could provide insights into the role of mitochondrial dysfunctions in infertility.