Mitochondrial Genetics: Progress and Challenges
A special issue of Genes (ISSN 2073-4425). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Genetics and Genomics".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 September 2025 | Viewed by 76
Special Issue Editor
Interests: basic biology of aging; dynamics of intracellular mitochondrial population; nuclear pseudogenes of mtDNA—NUMTs; human evolution; somatic mitochondrial DNA mutations; their abundance and relevance to human aging and disease
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Mitochondrial genetics has long been a complex and challenging field. Unlike the nuclear genome, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) exists in multiple copies per cell, creating a dynamic "population" within each cell, including germ cells. This adds an additional layer of complexity to mitochondrial research.
Further complicating matters, the nuclear genome harbors numerous NUMTs—nuclear sequences homologous to mtDNA. In some cases, these NUMTs are highly homologous or even identical to mtDNA, leading to numerous errors in mitochondrial genetic studies. Additionally, mtDNA is particularly prone to chemical damage, which can be mistakenly interpreted as mutations.
Over time, many errors in mitochondrial genetics research have been identified and corrected, yet some undoubtedly remain unaddressed. Unfortunately, studies that critically examine errors and misconceptions often receive less recognition and are less welcome than those presenting positive findings, despite their essential role in upholding the most basic fundamentals of scientific inquiry itself.
With this in mind, we especially welcome contributions to this Special Issue that identify errors, misconceptions, and methodological challenges in mtDNA genetics research. By addressing these issues, we aim to refine the field and ensure the reliability of future studies. Additionally, we encourage novel and potentially controversial contributions that challenge existing paradigms in mitochondrial genetics, fostering critical discussion and advancing the discipline.
Prof. Dr. Konstantin Khrapko
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Genes is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- Mitochondria;
- mtDNA;
- mutation;
- selection;
- germline;
- mitchondrial disease;
- inheritance;
- population;
- evolution;
- NUMT
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