Final agenda of Targeting Mitochondria 2016 World Congress

The scientific committee of the World Mitochondria Society published the final agenda of Targeting Mitochondria 2016 including the short oral presentations selected.

To access to the final agenda, please follow this link.

An excellent book to read by Marvin Edeas and Volkmar Weissig: Mitochondrial Medicine Volume 1 and 2

Springer published in 2015 two books edited by Volkmar Weissig and Marvin Edeas, as chairmen of the World Mitochondria Society:

• Mitochondrial Medicine: Volume 1 - Probing Mitochondrial Function
• Mitochondrial Medicine: Volume 2 - Manipulating Mitochondrial Function

The first volume of Mitochondrial Medicine covers an interdisciplinary and rapidly growing area of biomedical research comprising genetic, biochemical, pathological, and clinical studies aimed at the diagnosis and therapy of human diseases which are either caused by or associated with mitochondrial dysfunction. It dedicates itself to showcasing the tremendous efforts and the progress that has been made over the last decades in developing techniques and protocols for probing, imaging, and manipulating mitochondrial functions.

Mitochondrial Medicine: Volume I, Probing Mitochondrial Function focuses on methods being used for the assessment of mitochondrial function under physiological conditions as well as in healthy isolated mitochondria. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Comprehensive and practical, Mitochondrial Medicine provides an essential source of know-how and inspiration to all researchers who are fascinated by this tiny organelle that seems so clearly to control the life and death of a single cell and whole organisms alike.

Volkmar Weissg and Marvin Edeas highlited in these two volumes the strategic role of mitochondria in health and disease, but they also opened a new window to how to evaluate & to manipulate mitochondrial function.

38 chapters were published by Springer in this first volume.

For more information about Volume 1, please click here.

For more information about Volume 2, please click here.

Volkmar Weissig and Marvin Edeas updated and renewed an edition for 2017 and discussed the contributors and targets during the 7th World Congress on Targeting Mitochondria that was held in Berlin on October 24-26, 2016.

For more information about the annual Targeting Mitochondria meeting: www.targeting-mitochondria.com

Marvin Edeas highlights the impact of glycation in health and medicine

Dr Marvin Edeas, from Cochin Institute-INSERM U1016, CNRS UMR8104, Department of Cancer, Development and Reproduction / Inflammation, Oxidative stress and Cellular Proliferation Team, University Paris Descartes, wish to share with you many strategic questions about the important impact of glycation in health and diseases.

The field of interest of Dr Marvin Edeas is to study the relationship between mitochondria and microbiota (Pathog. Dis, 2016)

According to Dr Edeas: Actually, we investigate in clinical study many factors who can affect this intriguing relationship and may alter the Mitochondria-Microbiota Homeostasis such as oxidative stress, redox modulators and inflammation.  We look to reinforce and protect mitochondria to provide the adequate energy and respect also the quality and diversity of gut microbiota.

The advanced glycation end products is one strategic target in our study. We try to clarify How they affect mitochondria and microbiota homeostasis ? There effects on oxidative stress, Redox status, genes expressions, inflammation, metabolism, ATP production and how they shape the gut and skin microbiota ?

During the 2 days of glycation 2016, we will highlight the following points:

• Can AGE inhibitors will be a potential strategy for the prevention of lifestyle-related diseases such as diabetic complications ?
• Can AGE inhibitors be used as a pharmaceutical drugs or dietary supplements?
• What is the importance and level of contribution of food-derived advanced glycation end products to the body pool of AGEs ?
• Can they increase oxidative stress, modulate redox signaling pathway, affect genes expression ?
• What is the impact on Mitochondria and cellular metabolism ?
• What is the impact on our gut microbiota ? Can AGEs affect the diversity and quality of our microbiota ?
• The inhibition of advanced glycation end-products by daily meals is myth or reality?

What is next ?

You can share with us your opinion, though and questions which I can diffuse to the scientific committee.

Marvin Edeas, Chairman of Glycation 2016 Conference

Microbiota-mitochondria inter-talk: consequence for microbiota-host interaction.

Pathog Dis. 2016 Feb;74(1)

The 6th edition of WMS Targeting Mitochondria was a huge success

The 6^th WMS World Congress on Targeting Mitochondria was held on October 28-30, 2015 at Hotel Ritz Carlton, Berlin. This sixth edition was a huge success gathering more than 430 attendees, coming from different flieds: academics, clinicians, industrials... and from 37 countries. 

Read more...

The Awards for Short Oral & Poster Presentations were discerned during Targeting Mitochondria World Congress

On behalf of the Scientific Committee, we congratulate all scientists for their short oral & poster presentations during Targeting Mitochondria 3-days congress.

The Scientific Committee discerned different awards:

The Scientific Contribution Award was discerned to Pr Martin Bergö from Sahlgrenska Cancer Center, Sweden for his researches about antioxidants in cancer.
More information by clicking here.

3 Awards for short oral presentation were discerned to:

• Dr Yuning Hong from University of Melbourne, Australia, for his presentation about Novel Fluorescent Probes for Visualizing Cell Structures and Function
• Dr  Martin Picard from Columbia University, USA for his presentation about Inter-organelle communication via specialized mitochondrial synapse
• Dr  Sébastien Bolze from Poxel, France for his strategic presentation about Imeglimin, a new mitochondria-targeted agent for type 2 diabetes treatment

2 awards were discerned for the best Poster Presentations:

• Mrs Ifat Cohen-Erez, from Ben Gurion University, Israel for her poster about Co-assemblies of the Anionic Polypeptide γ-PGA and Cationic β-sheet Peptides for Drug Delivery to Mitochondria

• Dr  Genevieve Syn from Telethon Kids Institute, USA, for her poster presentation about Toxoplasma Gondii infection results in disruption of the host mitochondria.

If you would like to access to these abstracts and all the abstracts presented during the congress, you can order by abstracts book by clicking here.

For more information about Targeting Mitochondria World Congress: www.targeting-mitochondria.com

Antioxidants cause malignant melanoma to metastasize faster: Pr Martin Bergö was awarded by WMS Committee

Pr Martin Bergö, from Sahlgrenska Cancer Center in Sweden gave a strategic talk about the impact of antioxidants supplementation on malignant melanoma progression during Targeting Mitochondria World Congress 2015 which was awarded by the scientific committee of the World Mitochondria Society.

Pr Bergo's team has found that antioxidants can double the rate of melanoma metastasis in mice. The results reinforce previous findings that antioxidants hasten the progression of lung cancer. According to Professor Martin Bergö, people with cancer or an elevated risk of developing the disease should avoid nutritional supplements that contain antioxidants.

According Pr Bergo: "Cancer is a genetic disorder driven by oncogenic mutations, and DNA damage caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) is part of the underlying mechanism. Since ROS levels are kept in check by antioxidants, a widely accepted dogma is that dietary supplements containing high concentrations of antioxidants protect against cancer. However, clinical trials have not supported this view, and some even showed that antioxidants increase cancer risk".

For more information about Targeting Mitochondria World Congress: www.targeting-mitochondria.com

For more information about Pr Bergo's study, please follow this link.

The World Mitochondria Society awarded Poxel for its results about Imeglimin, a new mitochondria-targeted agent for type 2 Diabetes treatment

POXEL SA, a biopharmaceutical company developing innovative drugs to treat type 2 diabetes today presented some preclinical data on Imeglimin, the Company’s first-in-class oral anti-diabetic agent, at the 6th World Congress on Targeting Mitochondria held October 28-30, 2015, in Berlin, Germany.

Imeglimin has been proven to have a beneficial effect on both insulin sensitizing and insulin secretion defects in type 2 diabetes. The new data demonstrate the drug candidate’s positive impact on the mitochondrial respiratory chain, providing critical insights to Imeglimin’s molecular mechanism of action. “These results clearly demonstrate Imeglimin’s innovative mechanism of action and illustrate the benefits of targeting the mitochondria to treat type 2 diabetes,” said Sébastien Bolze, Ph.D., EVP Non-Clinical Development and CSO of Poxel. ”Our data confirm again that Imeglimin’s profile is unique among current anti-diabetic agents.”

About Poxel

Poxel uses its unique development expertise in metabolism to advance a pipeline of truly novel products currently focused on type 2 diabetes. Our first-in-class lead product, Imeglimin, targeting mitochondrial dysfunction, has successfully completed Phase 2 development in the US and EU and has entered clinical development in Japanese subjects. We are advancing our second program, PXL770, a direct AMPK activator, through clinical proof-of-concept. We will generate further growth through strategic partnerships and pipeline development.

Berlin will host the largest conference dedicated to Mitochondria

6th WMS Congress on Targeting Mitochondria
 
WMS Workshop on How to Evaluate Mitochondria Function & Dysfunction?
October 28-29-30, 2015 - Hotel Ritz Carlton, Berlin
 
The WMS scientific committee announced the publication of the final agenda and the list of abstracts accepted for oral and poster presentation.
 
To access to the program, please follow this link.
 
 Who is attending the sixth WMS congress?
 
Berlin will host an elite group of academic and industrial experts from leading life sciences, pharmaceutical, cosmetics and biomarkers evaluation companies seeking to exchange knowledge and share ideas ranging from basic science to latest discoveries and innovations around of mitochondria.
 
To access to the list of universities and companies attending the congress, please follow this link. 

The scientific committee of WMS will present the JWMS Journal during Berlin conference.
 
The Editorial Board of JWMS will be selected among speakers and members of WMS. You can submit your paper online.
 

We look forward to welcoming you in Berlin.
 
Volkmar Weissig
World Mitochondria Society
www.targeting-mitochondria.com

Who will attend Targeting Mitochondria World Congress 2015 from Industries & Academics?

The sixth edtition of the World Congress on Targeting Mitochondria will gather academics and industrial leaders in the field of mitochondria research during three days (October 28 to 30) at Ritz Carlton, Berlin.

Among the industrial participants:

Neurovive, Seahorse, Photonics Healthcare, Mitologics, Glaxosmithkline, Unifarco, Bayer Pharma, Poxel, Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma, Novartis Institute for Biomedical Research, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Selcia, Sanofi, Daiichi Sankyo, Biomedical Centre Speyer, Astellas Pharma Europe, Pierre Fabre Dermo-Cosmetique... 

Among the academic participants:

Harbin Medical University, Universidad Nacional Autonoma De Mexico, Institute of Biotechnology, Université de Sherbrooke, Columbia University, Instituto de Bioquimica Vegetal y Fotosintesis, Universitätsmedizin Greifswald, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg, Neurologische Universitätsklinik Der Otto-Von-Guericke Universität Magdeburg, University of Pecs, Karolinska Institutet, Leibniz Institut für Neurobiologie, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Moscow Clinical and Research Institute of Pediatrics, University of Aberdeen, L. Boltzmann Institute for Experimental and Clinical Traumatology, CSIR Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Ernst Moritz Arndt University of Greifswald,CNRS, Mcgill University, National Inst of Health, University of Leipzig,Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Unam, Telethon Kids Institute, LCSB, Georgia Regents University, University of Southern California, University of Southampton, University Hospital Essen, Children Hospital Bambino Gesù, Ukh Neurologie, Kings College London, Institute of Liver Studies, Universidad Nacional De Colombia, University of Buenos Aires, Universität Leipzig, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, University Leipzig, Aarhus University, Departement of Intensive Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, University of Oxford, University of Edinburgh, Chuv-Unil, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy-Glendale, Midwestern University, University of Warwick, Ulm University, University of Missouri - Kansas City, Beijing Institute for Drug Control, University of Zurich, Fundacion Ramon Dominguez,Polytechnic University of Marche, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, University of Manchester, University of Calgary, Albstadt-Sigmaringen University, Albstadt-Sigmaringen University of Applied Sciences, The University of Liverpool, King's College London, Samsung Medical Centre Ssk University, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, SRUC, Federal State Budgetary Institution "Scientific Centre of Children Health", Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, University Hospital Erlangen, University of Aberdeen, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, INSERM, Fondazione Cuoa, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Midwestern University, University of Edinburgh, Psychiatric Practice, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital In Prague, University of Melbourne, Cellex-Idibaps, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Pas, University of Toronto, Sapir College, Department of Pathophysiology, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, University College London, Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Biophysics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pushchino, Russia, Stockholm University, Tokai University, University of Veterinary Medicine, Laboratory of Food and Regulation Biology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Tokai University, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, University of Bath, Institute of Neurology/ University Medical Center Ulm, Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Experimental and Clinical Traumatology, New York University, University Hospital North Norway, University of Helsinki, Wayne State University, University of Warsaw, University of Freiburg, Colorado Mesa University, Ilia State University, Sifa University, Université Perpignan, Universidad De Valencia, Mediterranean Institute for Life Sciences, Martin-Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, The George Washington University School of Medicine, Institute of General Pathology and Pathophysiology...

If you would like to register, please follow this link.

For more information about Targeting Mitochondria World Congress 2015: www.targeting-mitochondria.com

Abstract Submission

Submission Deadline for Short Oral Presentation: 
September 30, 2025

Submission Deadline for Poster Presentation: 
October 9, 2025

Submission Guidelines:

1. Submit abstracts to the Scientific Committee.
2. Use the online form for submissions. Abstracts not using this form will not be considered.
3. One abstract per registered person.
4. For oral submissions: prioritize in-person presentations. Online presentations require prior approval.
5. Online poster submissions are accepted.
6. No changes after the submission deadline.
7. Abstracts cannot be modified post-acceptance.

Abstract Format:

1. Title: Max 20 words.
2. Text: Max 200 words, divided into Introduction, Materials & Methods, Conclusion.
3. Define unusual abbreviations on first use.
4. Relate to conference tracks or sessions, and specify the topic.
5. Include references (max 3).
6. Submit in both Word and PDF formats, prepared in B5 format.

Download abstract format guidelines here in Word or in PDF.

Note that: Abstracts received without formal modalities will not be studied.

Reviewing and selection process

All submissions reviewed by the Scientific Committee, and selection will be based on originality, novelty, and impact (score 1-10).

• Scores 9-10: considered for oral presentation.
• Scores 6-8: accepted for poster presentation.

Important notes

- Preference for in-person short oral presentations.

- E-posters can be accepted.

- Low-quality or off-topic abstracts may be rejected.

Published Abstracts

Accepted abstracts will be published in the conference abstracts book.

Short Oral Presentations

Duration: 7 minutes for their presentation, followed by 3 minutes of Q&A.

Number of slides: 8 Slides (+1)

Content: (1) the aim of the research, (2) materials methods, (3) Results, and (4) conclusion. 

Please note that the timing might slightly change according to the final program.

Posters Session

Process: Posters will be presented during the coffee breaks & lunch break

Format: A1 - vertical : 84,1cm height * 59,4cm width

E-Posters (for online posters) must be sent via email to: mitochondria[at]wms-site.com

Mining the gut microbiome for novel mitochondrial therapeutics: A strategic Presentation by Pr Anurag Agrawal

During the 6th World Congress on Targeting Mitochondria, Pr Anurag Agrawal from CSIR Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, India will discuss about a strategic topic: "Mining the gut microbiome for novel mitochondrial therapeutics".

He will highlight the following points:

- Mapping the gut microbial reactome to mitochondrial metabolism
- The strange case of PQQ
- Effects of common gut metabolites on mitochondrial function

If you would like to access to the complete program of Targeting Mitochondria 2015: www.targeting-mitochondria.com

Pr Luis Vitetta, from Sydney University will talk about Reactive oxygen species and their lifelong regulation of the metabolome

The production of reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species has long been proposed as leading to the random deleterious modification of macromolecules with an associated progressive development of age associated systemic disease. Superoxide anion (and hydrogen peroxide) and nitric oxide (and peroxynitrite) constitute regulated prooxidant second messenger systems, with specific sub-cellular locales of production and are essential for normal metabolome and physiological function.

Pr Vitetta's team has posited that the formation of superoxide anion/hydrogen peroxide and nitric oxide do not conditionally lead to random macromolecular damage. Under normal physiological conditions their production is actually regulated that is very much consistent with their second messenger roles. The role of these second messengers in the regulation of the metabolome is discussed in terms of radical formation as an essential contributor to the physiologically normal regulation of sub-cellular bioenergy systems; proteolysis regulation; transcription activation; enzyme activation; mitochondrial DNA changes; redox regulation of metabolism and cell differentiation.

Furthermore the concept that orally administered small molecule antioxidant therapy to abrogate free radical activity is a chimera. Hence as such they consider that free radicals are not a major overwhelming player in the development of the chronic diseases or the aging process.

You can know more about this study by joining Targeting Mitochondria World Congress.

For more information: www.targeting-mitochondria.com

Pr. Neuzil's talk to prerequisite for tumor initiation

During the 6th World Congress on Targeting Mitochondria, Pr. Neuzil will present the recent studies related to the acquisition of mitochondrial DNA by cancer cells devoid of mitochondrial genome.

According to him, "we have recently shown that cancer cells devoid of mitochondrial (mt) DNA form syngeneic tumours with a delay, and the tumour cells contain the host mtDNA. Here, we studied what happens during the lag phase before a tumour starts to grow. We show that several days after grafting, tumour cells start to acquire mtDNA from host cells, and its level increases until the tumour appears and starts to progress. This is accompanied by mtDNA replication and transcription, which promotes retrograde signaling to the nucleus, assembly of mitochondrial complexes and recovery of respiration. We conclude that cancer cells devoid of mtDNA ought to recover oxidative phosphorylation to a threshold level, which is a prerequisite for the cells to initiate tumour formation and growth."

If you are interested to know more about the results of this study, don't hesitate to join Targeting Mitochondria World Congress 2015.

For more information: www.targeting-mitochondria.com

Dr Koopman will present his researchs about live-cell quantification of mitochondrial readouts

Dr Werner Koopman, from Radboud University Medical Center, Netherlands will give a strategic presentation about life cell quantification of mitochondrial readouts.

His research aims to quantitatively understand the molecular connection between mitochondrial metabolism and (ultra)structure with particular attention to redox signaling and biomolecule diffusion. To this end, they study primary cells from mitochondrial disease patients, inhibitor-treated cells, a knockout mouse model of mitochondrial complex I (CI) deficiency and cancer cell lines to gain insight into the (tissue-specific) consequences and/or adaptation programs triggered by mitochondrial dysfunction. Given the tight integration of mitochondrial and cellular metabolism, the above aims are primarily addressed in living cell systems.

As a key technology, protein-based and chemical fluorescent reporter molecules are introduced in the cells and their signals are quantified using life cell microscopy, image processing/quantification and data mining. Protein diffusion is studied by combining photobleaching strategies, single-molecule spectroscopy and in silico techniques. In primary fibroblasts from Leigh Syndrome (LS) patients, isolated CI deficiency is associated with mitochondrial morpho-functional changes and increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels.

Empirical evidence suggests these aberrations might constitute linked therapeutic targets for small chemical molecules. However, the latter generally induce multiple subtle effects, meaning that in vitro potency analysis or single-parameter high-throughput cell screening are of limited use to identify these molecules. 

If you are interested to know more about the results of this study, don't hesitate to join Targeting Mitochondria World Congress 2015.

For more information: www.targeting-mitochondria.com

Targeting energy producing metabolic pathways for cancer therapy

Dr Vladimir Gogvadze, from Karolinska Institutet in Sweden is a special in the role of mitochondria in cancer field.

The scientific committee of the World Mitochondria Society is honoured to welcoming Dr Gogvadze during Targeting Mitochondria World Congress which will be held at Ritz Carlton, from October 28 to 30.

The majority of cancers demonstrate various tumor-specific metabolic aberrations, such as increased glycolysis even under aerobic conditions (Warburg effect), whereas mitochondrial metabolic activity and their contribution to cellular energy production are restrained. The “glycolytic shift” in tumor cells offered a rationale for therapeutic strategies aimed at selective inhibition of the glycolytic pathway. This approach could be most useful in cells with mitochondrial defects, or under hypoxic conditions, when the mitochondrial contribution to cellular bioenergetics is minimal.

Dr Targeting Mitochondria World Congress, Dr Gogvadze will present the recent studies related to mitochondria & cancer.

For more information: www.targeting-mitochondria.com