The time series shows how microglia cells (magenta) deploy mitochondria (green) after they detect a nearby injury in the brain. The researchers showed that microglia cells began probing and assessing the injury within five minutes, but mitochondria were only detectable at the injury site after six hours. The time series shows five minutes after injury at left and after six hours at right. (Images courtesy of Robert Hill)
A new study led by Guarini PhD candidate Alicia Pietramale, molecular and cellular biology, uncovers a surprising two-step strategy used by the brain’s immune cells during injury. The research shows that microglia initially respond using quick, sugar-based energy before building cellular “roadways” to transport mitochondria for sustained repair. Read more.
