Bhavna Dixit

Ms. Bhavna Dixit

SENS Research Foundation

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

5Years (2022-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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18 February 2022 in Biomedicines
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
SSSanjana Saravanan
Sanjana Saravanan
CLCaitlin Jane Lewis
Caitlin Jane Lewis
BDBhavna Dixit
Bhavna Dixit
MOMatthew S. O’connor
Matthew S. O’connor
ASAlexandra Stolzing
Alexandra Stolzing
ABAmutha Boominathan
Amutha Boominathan
Mitochondria are intracellular organelles that utilize nutrients to generate energy in the form of ATP by oxidative phosphorylation. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in humans is a 16,569 base pair double-stranded circular DNA that encodes for 13 vital proteins of the electron transport chain. Our understanding of the mitochondrial genome’s transcription, translation, and maintenance is still emerging, and human pathologies caused by mtDNA dysfunction are widely observed. Additionally, a correlation between declining mitochondrial DNA quality and copy number with organelle dysfunction in aging is well-documented in the literature. Despite tremendous advancements in nuclear gene-editing technologies and their value in translational avenues, our ability to edit mitochondrial DNA is still limited. In this review, we discuss the current therapeutic landscape in addressing the various pathologies that result from mtDNA mutations. We further evaluate existing gene therapy efforts, particularly allotopic expression and its potential to become an indispensable tool for restoring mitochondrial health in disease and aging.