Johns Hopkins University · BiologyMitochondrial Dynamics and Disease Unit
Hiromi Sesaki · Baltimore, Maryland
Research Focus
Hiromi Sesaki's research lab at Johns Hopkins University focuses on understanding how mitochondria, the energy-producing structures in cells, maintain their shape and function. The lab explores how mitochondrial dynamics—such as their growth, division, and fusion—are regulated and how these processes are linked to various diseases including neurodegeneration and metabolic disorders. By investigating the molecular mechanisms involved, the lab aims to uncover new treatment strategies for diseases caused by mitochondrial dysfunction.
mitochondriacell divisionfusionneurodegenerationmetabolic syndromemitophagyubiquitinationdisease mechanismsdynaminsendoplasmic reticulum
Research Aims
3AIM 01Investigate how DRP1 shapes the endoplasmic reticulum to promote mitochondrial division.
AIM 02Determine how mitochondrial proteins are ubiquitinated to identify damaged mitochondria.
AIM 03Explore the molecular basis of the MitoSafe response and its role in mitochondrial structure regulation.
Skills the Lab Values
cell culturemicroscopymolecular cloningimmunoblottinggenotypinganimal modelsubiquitination assayselectrophysiologydata analysis in biological systems
Output against the department
Publications213top 30% of dept.311th of 1,033
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations28ktop 13% of dept.132nd of 1,033
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.