Pay more attention to tackle mitochondrial diseases: Experts

Manipal, Nov 13 (UNI)Scientists who participated in the three-day Indo-US workshop on Mitochondrial Research and Medicine have stressed the urgent need to focus more attention on mitochondrial diseases, which were playing a major role in cancer, auto-immunity and regeneration.

Speaking at the inaugural session of the workshop here last evening, Dr Robert Naviaux, President of Mitochondrial and Medicine Society stressed that disturbances in mitochondrial function were the root cause for several disorders, including childhood and adult forms of mitochondrial diseases faced by the people around the world.

Diabetes, heart disease and obesity were now affecting nearly half of adults in United States and spreading further.

Countries around the world who urbanise and adopt lifestyle of the 'Computer Age' witnessed a rise of these complex disorders, he observed.

There was need for working together for a better understanding of the workings of the cells and to find solutions to this complex disease, he said.

He said around the world, scientists from diverse disciplines were turning their attention towards mitochondria and physicists see it as quantum fuel cells, combining oxygen and hydrogen to make energy and water. Mitochondrial Medicine was the newest sub-speciality in all of medicine.

The goal of the conference series was to bring together scientists and clinicians from the US and India to share cutting edge science and clinical experience to help prevent and combat both childhood and adult forms of mitochondrial disease.

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