28. Sep 2026 Actualia (engl.)

Energy-transducing organelles: between Evolutionary and Synthetic Biology

Vamsi Mootha, Vice Chair of the 2026 GRC and Chair of the 2028 GRC (right), recognizes 2026 Chair Andreas Weber by presenting him with a certificate. Photo and (c): Vamsi Mootha
Vamsi Mootha (left) hands over the certificate for chairing the next Gordon Graduate Research School (GRS), Helen Liu, who now is a MCSA Postdoctoral Fellow at Institute for Science and Technology in Austria. Photo and (c): Vamsi Mootha
The scenic surroundings of the GRC venue at Sunday River, Maine, with extensive forests and hiking trails. Photo and (c): Andreas Weber

Recent research developments and fundamental biological processes in energy-transducing organelles were discussed at the Gordon Research Conference (GRC) "Energy-Transducing Organelles at the Nexus of Evolutionary Biology and Synthetic Engineering" that was held from 19th to 24th July at the Jordan Hotel at Sunday River in Maine, USA. The conference was organized by conference chair Andreas Weber (Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany) and vice-chair Vamsi Mootha (Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA). 118 researchers from five continents attended the conference, with more than 50% of the participants being early career researchers. Andreas Weber reports about the focus and recent developments across different scientific disciplines. 

Interdisciplinary exchange among scientists 

Mitochondria and chloroplasts are unique among cellular compartments due to their endosymbiotic origins, semi-autonomous genetic systems, roles in energy transduction, and complex biological functions. The 2026 Gordon Research Conference on Mitochondria and Chloroplasts brought together established scientists and early-career investigators to present and discuss novel aspects of organelle biology. With a strong focus on fundamental biological processes, the conference was interdisciplinary in nature, serving as one of the few forums that unite scientists and encourages networking across the fungal, animal, and plant research communities. This cross-system perspective supports the exchange of ideas beyond the boundaries typically defined by experimental models. The program focused on presentations of unpublished research, with dedicated time for discussion following each talk. 

Mitochondria and chloroplasts are distinguished by their endosymbiotic origin, their semiautonomous genomes, and their essential roles in energy conversion and metabolism. Specific sessions of the 2026 meeting highlighted advances in a broad range of topics, including organelle evolution, gene expression systems, protein import and complex assembly, metabolic pathways, proteostasis, responses to fluctuating environments, non-canonical and novel endosymbiotically-acquired organelles, and synthetic or high-throughput approaches to organelle biology. By emphasizing basic science and promoting interdisciplinary dialogue, the conference advanced the understanding of organelle function and dynamics across eukaryotic life. To reflect the conference’s interdisciplinary spirit, each session featured speakers from both mitochondrial and chloroplast research fields.

From protists to cancer cells to synthetic biology

A total of 75 posters were presented across four poster sessions. While GRC policy prohibits reporting on the content of individual talks or posters, several topics were particularly prominent and provided outstanding novel insights: the communalities and specific adaptations of organellar functions across a wide phylogenetic range, from protists living in mud to human cancer cells. This included non-canonical mitochondria in anaerobes and the discovery of novel respiratory organelles in anaerobic protists that have lost respiratory function of their mitochondria. 

Results from the “MitoCarta” Project stretched over several talks and poster presentations. This project catalogues and experimentally validates the mitochondrial proteomes from protists to humans, providing a gold standard reference for comparative analyses of mitochondrial functions across the tree of life. Excitingly, synthetic biology approaches are now aiming at de novo establishment of photosynthetic and respiratory organelles in eukaryotic cells, thereby experimentally testing long-standing questions in endosymbiotic theory.

Both organisers thank the German Society for Plant Sciences (DBG) for funding that was allocated to early career scientists.

Conclusion

The evaluation of the conference by the participants was very positive, perhaps best summarized by this specific comment: “First time participating and was a really valuable experience to exchange with others from different fields.” Unfortunately, due to recent developments with US Immigration and visa policies, some geographic regions where underrepresented at the conference. The next Mitochondria and Chloroplasts GRC will take place July 9-14, 2028, most likely in Barcelona, Spain, which should make it easier for everyone to attend.

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Prof. Dr. Andreas Weber, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, https://www.plant-biochemistry.hhu.de/