Jena, June 30, 2026 – Researchers at the Jena Leibniz-Institut für Alternsforschung (FLI) have achieved a significant breakthrough: they identified a key molecule that can rejuvenate aged mitochondria.
- Topic: Cellular rejuvenation through restoration of mitochondrial structure
- Institute: Leibniz-Institut für Alternsforschung – Fritz-Lipmann-Institut (FLI) Jena
- Research Result: The lipid phosphatidylcholine (PC) prevents the decay of cellular energy networks
- Publication: Journal Nature Communications
The Cellular Power Grid: How Phosphatidylcholine Works
Mitochondria are considered the power plants of our cells. As we age, their performance declines: they produce less energy and leave behind more cellular waste. A research team led by Maria Ermolaeva at the Leibniz-Institut für Alternsforschung – Fritz-Lipmann-Institut (FLI) in Jena has now discovered the reason for this. The study shows: in old age, the body’s own production of the lipid phosphatidylcholine (PC) drops drastically.
This fat molecule is crucial for the elasticity of mitochondrial membranes. If it is missing, individual mitochondria can no longer fuse with one another to form a flexible, conductive network. The result is a collapse of the cellular energy grid – comparable to a dilapidated power grid in which the flow is blocked. However, through the targeted administration of phosphatidylcholine or its precursor choline, the researchers succeeded in noticeably returning the mitochondrial structure in roundworms and in human cell cultures to a younger state within just two days, as the team explained in an institute press release.
Gender-Specific Differences and Everyday Relevance
The gender-specific results of the study are particularly striking. While phosphatidylcholine levels in men only decrease gradually over the course of life, they drop abruptly in women during menopause. This often correlates with the drop in energy levels and persistent fatigue frequently described in this phase of life. A low PC level is also closely linked to age-related diseases such as diabetes, obesity, and neurodegenerative processes.
The discovery is part of recent efforts to understand biological aging as a malleable and influenceable process. Similar to how the Deutsches Zentrum für Psychische Gesundheit (DZPG) advances research into mental processes in old age, the FLI is doing pioneering work at the cellular level.
🏛️ Top-Level Research at the Beutenberg-Campus
The Leibniz-Institut für Alternsforschung – Fritz-Lipmann-Institut (FLI) is the first national research facility in Germany dedicated to biomedical aging research. At the Jena Beutenberg-Campus, scientists from over 40 nations investigate the molecular causes of aging. The institution enjoys a worldwide reputation and contributes significantly to establishing Jena as a leading international center for life sciences and aging research.
Source:
Mitochondrien-Rätsel gelöst: Wie Forscher aus Jena Zellen verjüngen
Transparency Note: This article was automatically created, editorially reviewed, and expanded with AI support.