Marcia Haigis

Harvard Medical School

Academic Titles

Professor, Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School

Research Program Affiliation

Member, Cancer Cell Biology

Research Abstract

The Haigis laboratory focuses on understanding the role that mitochondria play in mammalian aging and disease. Mitochondria are dynamic organelles that provide cells with energy even during dramatic changes in diet, stress and development. The main goals of our research are: 1) to identify signals generated by mitochondria that contribute to aging and to identify those regulated by mammalian sirtuins, 2) to determine molecular mechanisms for these signals, and 3) to understand how these pathways regulate biological functions that decline during normal aging. To accomplish these goals, our research integrates biochemistry, proteomics, cell biology and mouse genetics. These studies have the potential to lead to novel therapies that could treat a spectrum of human diseases.