First International Conference on Horizontal Mitochondrial Transfer and Dynamics

On October 24 and 25, 2024, the First International Conference on Horizontal Mitochondrial Transfer and Dynamics (HMTD) took place at the BIOCEV center in Prague. The main organizer was Prof. Jiří Neužil, head of the Laboratory of Molecular Therapy at the Institute of Biotechnology.

This event, which attracted approximately 100 participants from around the world, represents an important milestone for scientists studying the newly discovered phenomenon of horizontal mitochondrial transfer between cells.

The aim of the conference was to deepen the understanding of the mechanisms and implications of horizontal mitochondrial transfer between cells, which has significant impacts not only in oncology but also in other pathological conditions and is part of tissue physiology. For example, participants learned from the lectures that osteocytes, the main components of bone tissue, acquire mitochondria from their surroundings, which can be viewed as a defense against osteoporosis. Another example is the transfer of mitochondria between astrocytes and neurons, which protects neurons from dying; this could be utilized to delay the onset of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease.

Key topics of the conference included the characterization of horizontal mitochondrial transfer, its role in the progression of both cancerous and non-cancerous diseases, and its impact on cellular processes. Key speakers included Mike Berridge, Jonathan Brestoff, Minghao Zheng, Josef Kittler, Stuart Rushworth, Zdeněk Lánský, and Vladimír Hampl. The plenary lecture was delivered by Chiara Zurzolo from the Pasteur Institute in Paris.

The conference culminated in the awarding of several prizes. Professor Mike Berridge, a pioneer in this field, received the Lifetime Achievement Award. Additionally, awards were given for Best Presentation (Andrea Straková, University of Cambridge) and Best Posters (Habiba Hayat, Institute of Physiology, Czech Academy of Sciences; Veronika Somová, Faculty of Science, Charles University; Renata Zobalová, Institute of Biotechnology, Czech Academy of Sciences).

The conference organizers believe that this meeting will lay the groundwork for future research growth in this rapidly evolving field. Indeed, horizontal mitochondrial transfer can already be regarded as a new subfield of cell biology. They expect that this conference will stimulate further interest and create a platform for regular meetings among scientists that will deepen our understanding of horizontal mitochondrial transfer and its impacts on human health. All participants were very satisfied with the course and quality of the conference, which, among other things, led to the decision to hold another conference on this topic in 2026, this time at Sorbonne University in Paris.