题 目：Tuning stress and triggering Leukemia: Ulk/Atg1 evolution meets mitochondrial DNA mutations

主 讲：Dr. Mondira Kundu

时 间：2025年5月20日（周二）10:20-12:00

地 点：学习书坊

Abstract：

This talk will explore the interconnected roles of ULK/Atg1 signaling and somatic mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations in cellular adaptation, physiology, and disease progression. First, we will examine the evolution of ULK/Atg1, tracing its function from its origins in yeast, where it initiates autophagy, to its expanded role in mammals as a regulator of cellular responses to diverse stress conditions. Next, we will delve into the role of somatic mtDNA mutations in leukemogenesis, focusing on how these mutations disrupt metabolic homeostasis and modulate stress pathways, driving transformation and disease progression. Finally, we will discuss the convergence of cellular stress responses, including ULK/Atg1 signaling, and the effects of mtDNA mutations, highlighting how these mechanisms collectively shape cellular behavior, physiological resilience, and adaptation to stress. Together, these findings provide insights into the dynamic relationship between stress signaling and mitochondrial dysfunction, with implications for cellular physiology and cancer biology.

个人简介：

Dr. Mondira Kundu is a distinguished Full Member at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, serving in the Department of Cell and Molecular Biology. She earned her Bachelor of Science from Pennsylvania State University and completed her MD and PhD at Jefferson Medical College. Dr. Kundu's postdoctoral research at the National Institutes of Health and further training at the University of Pennsylvania have positioned her as a leader in her field. Her pioneering research has revealed critical roles of ULK/Atg1 in ER-to-Golgi trafficking, RNP granule dynamics and noncanonical autophagy pathways, contributing significantly to our understanding of cellular homeostasis and disease mechanisms. Widely published and recognized with prestigious awards such as the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation Fellowship and the Burroughs Wellcome Fund Career Award, Dr. Kundu was also elected as a member of the American Society of Clinical Investigation in 2017.