Uncovering the coevolution of mitochondrial function and cell cycle regulation in shaping life history strategies

Animals evolve diverse life history strategies, shaped by both their biology and environmental conditions, balancing resource allocation between individual longevity and reproduction to maximize species persistence. These adaptive strategies also influence cellular function. For example, mountain hare cells grow slow and prioritize longevity, while brown hare cells grow more rapidly, favouring reproduction. This distinction is linked to differences in their cell cycles, which are influenced by cellular metabolism and the poorly understood communication between the cell's nucleus and mitochondria. Our project investigates the role of metabolism in regulating the cell cycle, aiming to uncover the interactions between mitochondria and the nucleus that underlie species-specific life history strategies. The expected results will provide insights into how species adapt and evolve at the cellular level and may reveal mechanisms relevant to cell cycle-related disorders, including cancer.