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. The position of one organelle cannot be studied in isolation as organelles make physical and functional contact with other organelles. 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 the contacts mitochondria make with other organelles.