Mitochondrial Function and Dysfunction in Developmental Biology Metabolism
A special issue of Journal of Developmental Biology (ISSN 2221-3759).
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 March 2026
Special Issue Editor
Interests: birth defects; developmental basis of congenital and acquired cardiopulmonary diseases; neonatal lung alveolar septation; transgenic mouse modelling; cell lineage tracing; neural crest; fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition; extracellular matrix
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Mitochondria are best known for their role in energy production, but growing evidence highlights their crucial involvement in a wide range of developmental and metabolic processes. From early embryogenesis to organogenesis and tissue differentiation, mitochondria contribute far beyond ATP synthesis—they regulate redox balance, modulate signaling pathways, control metabolite synthesis and availability, regulate cell waste, and influence epigenetic programming.
In recent years, developmental biology has increasingly focused on how mitochondrial dynamics—including biogenesis, fission and fusion, mitophagy, and metabolic reprogramming—shape cell fate decisions and developmental outcomes. Alterations in mitochondrial function and/or metabolic processes have been implicated in congenital disorders, impaired stem cell differentiation, and developmental delays. Moreover, mitochondria are deeply intertwined with signaling networks such as AMPK, mTOR, and Wnt, which are essential in guiding proper tissue patterning and morphogenesis.
This Special Issue aims to gather original research articles, reviews, and perspectives that explore the multifaceted roles of mitochondria in development. Potential topics include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Mitochondrial metabolism during early embryonic development;
- Mitochondrial–nuclear crosstalk in stem cell fate and differentiation;
- Organelle remodeling and mitophagy in lineage specification;
- Metabolic biosynthesis and in utero development;
- The role of mitochondrial dynamics in tissue development, regeneration, and repair;
- Molecular mechanisms linking mitochondrial dysfunction to developmental disorders;
- Novel tools, imaging techniques, and model systems for in vivo studies of mitochondrial function during development.
By bringing together cutting-edge studies across different model organisms and developmental systems, this Special Issue will provide a comprehensive overview of how mitochondrial biology intersects with the field of developmental biology and metabolism. We especially encourage submissions that connect molecular mechanisms to physiological and functional outcomes and disease.
Prof. Dr. Simon J. Conway
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. Journal of Developmental Biology is an international peer-reviewed open access quarterly 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 1800 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
- embryonic development
- stem cells
- metabolism
- mitophagy
- organelle dynamics
- mitochondrial dysfunction
- differentiation
- regeneration
- developmental disorders
- in vivo imaging
- model systems
- disease
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