Mitochondrial diagnostics
Overview of laboratory services
Maintaining homeostasis, i.e. the constant renewal of the somatic cells of our organs, especially the brain, requires a constant supply of energy. The body's energy metabolism ensures a continuous supply of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the universal energy currency in the body. Each cell can directly generate energy by cleaving this molecule. However, this highly energetic molecule cannot be stored for a long time. Theoretically, it would be completely consumed in only a few moments. ATP cleavage results in the metabolic products ADP and phosphate. ADP is phosphorylated back to ATP in the mitochondria, the power plants of our cells. Although cells cannot store ATP, they can resynthesise it extremely quickly. This guarantees a continuous new formation of ATP. The prerequisite is a regular supply of nutrients, as ATP is only produced in the course of different degradation processes. ATP is produced during glycolysis, oxidative decarboxylation, and in the citric acid cycle. Reduction equivalents in form of NADH are also produced. FADH is oxidised during oxidative phosphorylation in the mitochondrial membranes, which produces additional ATP.
