About the Lab

The Lackner lab is interested in the fundamental biological question of how spatial and dynamic organization within cells is achieved. As a model for intracellular organization, we study the mechanisms that position organelles. While once thought to operate independently, it is clear that organelles contact other organelles, and the positioning of organelles and the contacts they make play critical roles in a wide variety of cellular functions. The organelle that has been the primary focus of our research is the mitochondrion. Using a combination of cell biological, genetic, and biochemical approaches, we are addressing fundamental questions about the mechanisms used by cells to position mitochondria as well as form and regulate mitochondrial contacts.

Latest Publications

Temporal control of contact site formation reveals a relationship between mitochondrial division and Num1-mediated mitochondrial tethering

Harper CS, Casler JC, Lackner LL. Molecular Biology of the Cell 2023.

Loss of Num1-mediated cortical dynein anchoring negatively impacts respiratory growth

White AJ, Harper CS, Rosario EM et al., Journal of Cell Science 2022.

Hierarchical integration of mitochondrial and nuclear positioning pathways by the Num1 EF hand.

Anderson HL, Casler JC, and Lackner LL. Molecular Biology of the Cell 2022

The multifunctional nature of mitochondrial contact site proteins.

Harper CS, White AJ, Lackner LL. Current Opinion in Cell Biology 2020.

Fission and fusion machineries converge at ER contact sites to regulate mitochondrial morphology

Abrisch RG, Gumbin SC, Wisniewski BT, Lackner LL, and Voeltz GK. Journal of Cell Biology 2020.

The Expanding and Unexpected Functions of Mitochondria Contact Sites

Lackner LL. Trends in Cell Biology 2019.