Bioenergy Group personnel:

Dr Gennady Bronnikov (Group Leader)

Dr Paul Lewandowski (Research Officer)

Dr Victor Rotaru (Research Officer)

Bioenergy Group:

This group was augmented with the arrival in April of Gennady Bronnikov, a scientist with many years' experience in the study of bioenergy, the processes by which cells generate their energy.  Originally from the Institute of Cell Biophysics, Pushchino, Russia, he gained further experience at The Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm, University, Sweden.  The group also was greatly assisted by a 6 month sabbatical visit by Professor Richard Dilley from Purdue University in the USA.  Professor Dilley brought his vast knowledge of bioenergetic processes, elements of which he succeeded in imparting to us!  He also brought with him an enthusiasm for scientific investigation that was an inspiration to us all.

It is the objective of this group to investigate the bioenergy state of cells in tissues of elderly individuals and thus broaden our understanding of the process by which we lose energy capacity as we grow older.  We know that there are two ways in which cells can meet their energy needs.  The first is respiration in which our food is ultimately broken down to carbon dioxide and water by the mitochondria.  This process generates considerable amounts of energy and requires oxygen.  But it is also possible to generate smaller amounts of energy by a process known as glycolysis.  Here the product is lactate, and there is no involvement of mitochondria.  It seems likely that, as muscles age and their mitochondrial systems decline, the cellular energy balance shifts from respiration to the less efficient glycolysis.

The Bioenergy Group is studying changes of the function of the bioenergy systems within the cells of various tissues and the impact of aging upon their individual activities.  For instance, the cellular levels of the components involved in glycolysis are being measured to determine the nature and extent of any shift in muscle energy metabolism from respiration to glycolysis as we age.  Additional studies are directed at studying the impact of aging and mtDNA mutations on the activity of components of the mitochondrial electron transport chain, the respiratory machinery of the cell.  We are aided in these studies by equipment such as the state of the art OLIS spectrophotometer which allows biological reactions to be followed over time intervals measured in milli-seconds (1/1000 sec).  This work will lead to diagnostic tools for determining the energy status of tissues and individuals.

Other investigations carried out by this group aim to develop an understanding of the mechanisms by which coenzyme Q10 re-energizes tissues of older individuals.  This work should lead to the development of “therapies” based on coenzyme Q10 and related compounds aimed at the improvement of the lifestyle and well being of our aging population.

Proteomics (Protein analysis)

The latest developments in separation technology potentially enable an examination of all proteins produced by a cell/tissue. Several thousand proteins can be separated by use of an appropriate pH (acid concentration) range. It is now possible to determine the molecular weight of each protein and determine their individual amino acid sequences and consequently their specific functions.

The Centre has developed a program on the use of technology embracing proteomic studies and is applying them to the study of tissues of young and aged subjects in order to identify age associated changes and therapies.