Iain G Johnston

Mitochondrial DNA Density Homeostasis Accounts for the Threshold Effect in Human Mitochondrial Disease

The paper develops a mathematical model to explain the threshold effect in mitochondrial disease by showing cells maintain wild-type mtDNA density through volume reduction until a minimum volume is reached, after which energy production pathways are upregulated.

Multiple hypothesis correction is vital and undermines reported mtDNA links to diseases including AIDS, cancer, and Huntingdon’s

This paper argues that multiple hypothesis correction is essential and that many reported links between mtDNA features and diseases like AIDS, cancer, and Huntington’s are likely false positives.

mtDNA diversity in human populations highlights the merit of haplotype matching in gene therapies

The paper shows that genetic differences between mother and third-party mtDNA can lead to mtDNA segregation in gene therapies, suggesting haplotype matching to improve efficacy.

Evolutionary inference across eukaryotes identifies specific pressures favoring mitochondrial gene retention

The paper uses a new method to analyze mitochondrial gene retention across eukaryotes and identifies factors like GC content, protein hydrophobicity, and functional roles that influence gene retention.