Mitochondria, Metabolism & Cell Death Control
Investigators in Einstein’s Department of Cell Biology are interested in mitochondria, metabolism, and cell death control study various facets of mitochondria, which are hubs for metabolism, cell death, calcium and redox homeostasis, and biosynthesis that impact multiple aspects of normal physiology and disease. Specifically, the Augenlicht Lab focuses on connections between intestinal stem cell mitochondrial structure and function and cancer risk and aging. The Ito Lab studies contributions of mitochondrial metabolism to hematopoietic stem cell fate and hematological disorders. The Kitsis Lab analyzes mitochondrial cell death programs and metabolism/energetics and roles in disease; the Marianovich Lab studies roles of mitochondrial metabolism in mesenchymal stem cell aging; and the Will lab investigates connections between iron and cysteine-homeostasis and hematopoietic and leukemic stem cell gene regulation. Other labs at Einstein study roles of mitochondria in thermogenesis and diabetes.
Research Faculty
The Department of Cell Biology faculty below conduct research on mitochondria, metabolism, and cell death. If you are interested in collaborating on a research project, please contact the investigators directly for more information.
Leonard H. Augenlicht, Ph.D.
Professor, Departments of Cell Biology, Medicine, and Oncology
Specific research topics: aging, cancer genetics, cellular metabolism, chromatin biology/gene regulation, development, drug development and experimental therapeutics, mitochondria biology, single cell analysis, and stem cells
Keisuke Ito, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor, Departments of Cell Biology, Medicine, and Oncology; Director, Scientific Resources, The Ruth L. and David S. Gottesman Institute for Stem Cell Research and Regenerative Medicine
Specific research topics: aging, cancer dormancy and metastasis, cancer genetics, cancer microenvironment, cell-based- and gene-therapy, cellular metabolism, development, drug development and experimental therapeutics, erythropoiesis, hematopoiesis, imaging, mitochondria biology, proteomics and protein biochemistry, single cell analysis, and stem cells
Richard N. Kitsis, M.D.
Professor, Departments of Cell Biology and Medicine; The Dr. Gerald and Myra Dorros Chair in Cardiovascular Disease
Specific research topics: aging, cell death and senescence, cellular metabolism, drug development and experimental therapeutics, RNA processing/splicing/modification, and signal transduction
Marina Konopleva, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor, Department of Cell Biology
Specific research topics: Apoptosis, Mitochondrial metabolism, Leukemia stem cells, Immuno-oncology, Kinase inhibitors
Maria Marianovich, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Department of Cell Biology
Specific research topics: aging, cancer microenvironment, cell-based- and gene-therapy, cellular metabolism, hematopoiesis, imaging, and stem cells
Alexandra C. Racanelli, M.D., Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Departments of Cell Biology and Medicine
Specific research topics: aging, cancer genetics, cellular metabolism, chromatin biology/gene regulation, development, drug development and experimental therapeutics, mitochondria biology, single cell analysis, and stem cells
Britta Will, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Departments of Cell Biology, Medicine, and Oncology; Ruth L. and David S. Gottesman Chair in Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Research
Specific research topics: aging, cancer genetics, cellular metabolism, chromatin biology/gene regulation, hematopoiesis, single cell analysis, and stem cells