Mitochondrial Dynamics in Cell Life and Death

Mitochondria are dynamic organelles that are able to change their morphology during cellular development and to meet the energetic needs of the cell, for example. During the past several years, knowledge about the molecular machinery involved in the control of mitochondrial shape has improved considerably. In August 2005, leading researchers in the field of mitochondrial dynamics met at the Venetian Institute of Molecular Medicine in Padova, Italy, to discuss novel and intriguing findings presented at the first workshop on "Mitochondrial Dynamics in Cell Life and Death." Some of the findings related to apoptosis and aging are described in this Perspective.