Mitochondrial Disease (Mito)

Current Context : Scientists are preparing New IVF procedure called mitochondrial donation (currently under trial in Australia) offers a cure to Mito.

• Mitochondria is the Powerhouse of the cells producing 90% of the energy needed to sustain life.
• These are tiny structures in cells that convert the food we eat into the energy our cells need to function.

ABOUT MITO

• Mitochondrial disease (or mito for short) is a group of conditions that affect this ability to generate the energy organs require to work properly.
• Inherited metabolic condition caused by genetic mutation in the DNA.
• It impairs the ability of mitochondria to convert food and oxygen into energy.
• There are two types of DNA :
  • Nuclear DNA is inherited from both parents and which makes us who we are.
  • DNA of the mitochondria, passed down through the mother.

ABOUT MITOCHONDRIAL DONATION

• It is an experimental IVF-based technique that offers people who carry faulty mitochondrial DNA the potential to have genetically related children without passing on the faulty DNA.
• It involves removing the nuclear DNA from the egg of someone who carries faulty mitochondrial DNA and inserting it into a healthy egg donated by someone not affected by mito.