How Mitochondria Respond to Changes in Caloric Intake

Palestrante:  Profa. Dra. Alicia Juliana Kowaltowski – IQ-USP-SP

Abstract: In humans, obesity is associated with increased incidence of a variety of age-related diseases. Similarly, laboratory rodent lifespans are limited by obesity, including overeating promoted by ad libitum access to standard chow diets. Indeed, a daily limitation of caloric intake (calorie restriction) has been widely shown to enhance lifespans and prevent age-related diseases in rodents. We will discuss the metabolic effects of caloric restriction, and show that mitochondrial bioenergetics, redox state, and calcium homeostasis are regulated by caloric restriction, with an impact on tissue stress responses.

Alicia Juliana Kowaltowski – 1)Education/Training: 1992-1997 – Medical undergraduate degree – Universidade Estadual de Campinas; 1998-1999-PhD in Medical Sciences-Universidade Estadual de Campinas/University of Maryland; 1999-2000 -Post-doc -Oregon Graduate Institute; 2016-2017-Visiting Professor -University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). 2)Professional/Academic Background: 2000-present: Professor at the Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, currently a Full Professor (since 2013); 2018 – Member, Brazilian Academy of Sciences; 2024 – 2026 President, Brazilian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. 3)Research Funding: 2005-2007 National Institutes of Health (NIH), R03 HD047388-01A1, “Mitochondrial Targets in Methylmalonic Acidemia”, Coordinator; 2013-2027 Redoxome Center for Research and Development (FAPESP-CEPID) 13/07937-8 -“Redox Processes: Molecular basis and therapeutic implications”, Principal Investigator; 2021-2027 FAPESP Thematic Grant 2020/06970-5 “Mitochondrial Ion Transporters as Sensors and Regulators in Energy Metabolism”, Coordinator; 2024-2027 CNPq Research Productivity level 1A; 2025-2030 INCT Grant “Redox Processes In Biomedicine”, Vice-Coordinator.