Mitochondria are compartments within cells that carry out key functions for cellular and organismal health. Mitochondria produce energy powering the cell, and also acts as important signaling hubs that control various cellular decisions. In this image we look into the ultrastructure of mitochondria in a mouse liver.

This image is part of an effort to compare the ultrastructure, shape and size of mitochondria across different tissues in young and aged mice. Aging is hypothesized to be associated with alterations of mitochondrial function, however, little is known about details of these potential dysfunctions. Imaging mitochondria in young and old mice will allow us to assess whether aging is associated with morphological or ultrastructural defects in this amazing organelle.