RCMM Research

The study of mitochondria in health and disease - mitochondrial medicine - is one of the main research topics of the Radboud University Medical Center. The various research lines are integrated in the RCMM. In this centre fundamentally-oriented and applied studies are carried out under the guidance of scientist with a clinical, (cell)biological or (bio)chemical background.

The information gathered is used for the development of new treatment modalities for diseases and adverse-health conditions in which the mitochondrial energy capacity is decreased. Defects of the oxidative phosphorylation system in man are amongst the most frequently encountered inborn errors of metabolism and the study of patients with these devastating disorders has revealed important information about the role that mitochondria play in the normal process of ageing in e.g. neurodegenerative disease like Parkinson disease.

The RCMM is organized in three different themes, linked together creating a molecule - to patient – to population value chain: mitochondrial structure and function, cellular consequences of mitochondrial disorders, and clinical aspects of mitochondrial disorders. Overall coordination and integration of the three research themes is the responsibility of Prof. dr. Jan Smeitink, chairman of the board.

Find out more about these themes by clicking one of the links below.