Mitochondrial Biology Laboratory
School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad
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Understanding mitochondria, from redox to disease
Understanding mitochondria, from redox to disease
The Mitochondrial Biology Laboratory investigates how mitochondria sense, respond to, and communicate cellular stress to preserve homeostasis in health and disease. Rather than viewing mitochondria solely as energy-producing organelles, our research focuses on their roles as dynamic signaling platforms that integrate redox cues, metabolic status, and inter-organelle communication. Core research areas include mitochondrial retrograde signaling, redox biology, autophagy, lipid homeostasis, mitochondrial-derived vesicles, and metabolic disorders such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
Guided by the principle “do honest, careful science where data leads, rigor rules, and curiosity never shuts up,” the lab emphasizes reproducibility, mechanistic clarity, and critical thinking. We employ an integrated experimental approach using yeast, mammalian cell culture, and rodent models to uncover conserved mitochondrial mechanisms and validate their physiological relevance.
Our work has revealed novel redox-sensing mechanisms within mitochondria, established mitochondrial ROS as signaling molecules driving retrograde communication, and uncovered regulatory links between mitochondrial function and autophagy. More recently, we identified functionally distinct mitochondrial subpopulations associated with lipid droplets in liver tissue and demonstrated their importance in lipid metabolism and NAFLD.
Together, these studies highlight the specialization, signaling capacity, and adaptability of mitochondria in cellular homeostasis. The lab maintains a strong publication record in leading Q1 journals, including Science, Nature Communications, Journal of Biological Chemistry, and Molecular Biology of the Cell.
Prof. Naresh Babu V. Sepuri
Prof. Naresh Babu V. Sepuri
Professor Naresh Babu V. Sepuri is a distinguished mitochondrial biologist and faculty member in the Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad. With decades of rigorous research and international training, his work explores how mitochondria communicate with the rest of the cell to maintain cellular homeostasis.
He earned his B.Sc. from Silver Jubilee Government College, Kurnool (1987), and M.Sc. from Sri Krishnadevaraya University, Anantapur (1989), followed by an M.Phil. (1992) and Ph.D. (1996) from the University of Hyderabad. Postdoctoral training at the University of Pennsylvania, Johns Hopkins University, and Thomas Jefferson University deepened his expertise in mitochondrial protein import and redox biology. He joined the University of Hyderabad as an Associate Professor in 2007 and became Professor in 2015.
Prof. Sepuri’s research is widely published in high-impact journals, supported by international collaborations and competitive grants. A dedicated mentor, he is deeply committed to rigorous science and training the next generation of life scientists.
Lab Updates....
Congratulations to Pushpa Rani Prasad on the successful presentation of her Pre-PhD Seminar. Wishing her continued success in her research journey and future academic endeavors.
Our research article, “Eisosome protein Pil1 regulates mitochondrial morphology, mitophagy, and cell death in Saccharomyces cerevisiae,” has been selected as the Editorial Choice paper of the issue, highlighting its significance and impact within the field of cellular and mitochondrial biology.
We are proud to share that our research article titled "Lipid-droplet associated mitochondria promote fatty-acid oxidation through a distinct bioenergetic pattern in male Wistar rats" has been recognized among the Top 50 papers in the Health and Science division, highlighting its impact, relevance, and contribution to advancing biomedical research.
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