ABSTRACT
First Person is a series of interviews with the first authors of a selection of papers published in Journal of Cell Science, helping researchers promote themselves alongside their papers. Peter Kirchweger is first author on ‘ Snapshots of mitochondrial fission imaged by cryo-scanning transmission electron tomography’, published in JCS. Peter conducted the research described in this article while a Postdoc in Prof. Deborah Fass's lab at Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, and is now a Senior Intern (Research Associate) in the lab of Prof. Michael Elbaum at the same institute, investigating the use of cryo-electron tomography to study the cell.
Peter Kirchweger
How would you explain the main findings of your paper in lay terms?
This study aimed to highlight cryo-scanning transmission electron tomography (cryo-STET) as tool to image the cell in 3D. For that, we visualized the morphology of mitochondria that lack Mff, the main adaptor protein for Drp1, a protein that enables mitochondrial membrane scission, under fission-inducing conditions. We tried to drive the cells into inducing mitochondrial fragmentation; however, due to the lack of the adaptor protein Mff, mitochondrial fission couldn't be finalized. Therefore, we imaged intermediate states of mitochondrial fission, cellular structures that participate in fission and the morphology of the stressed mitochondria. The main advantage of our cryo-STET approach is that we can image whole mitochondria in near-to-native conditions without any sample thinning being needed.
Were there any specific challenges associated with this project? If so, how did you overcome them?
I come from an X-ray crystallography background, and cryo-STET is a relatively new tool, so learning the method and how to prepare samples was initially quite challenging. However, with the very supportive environment at the Weizmann Institute, I became equipped with the necessary tools to overcome this challenge.
When doing the research, did you have a particular result or ‘eureka’ moment that has stuck with you?
Performing the dual-axis tomography! After we finished the alignment and post-processing of the data, observing the difference between single-axis and dual-axis tomography and finally seeing the segmentation was indeed a eureka moment.
3D segmentation of part of a dual-axis tomogram showing a 550-nm-thick area of a cell. Red, green, light blue, dark blue, pink and yellow/orange show mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, digestive organelles, small vesicles on top and bottom of the cell, actin and microtubules.
3D segmentation of part of a dual-axis tomogram showing a 550-nm-thick area of a cell. Red, green, light blue, dark blue, pink and yellow/orange show mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, digestive organelles, small vesicles on top and bottom of the cell, actin and microtubules.
Why did you choose Journal of Cell Science for your paper?
I chose JCS because I wanted to target a specific audience, cell biologists, with my paper.
What motivated you to pursue a career in science, and what have been the most interesting moments on the path that led you to where you are now?
The interaction with people that comes with a research environment motivated me to pursue a career in science. I have a passion for teaching and engaging with other people. Much knowledge is gained by discussing a paper, whether it's someone else's results or yours. This is a driving force for science.
What's next for you?
I will be looking for group leader positions. I want to stay in academia because when we collaborate, discuss and engage together, we can expand our knowledge of the world we live in.
Tell us something interesting about yourself that wouldn't be on your CV
I'm a family man.
Peter Kirchweger’s contact details: Herzl 234, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.
E-mail: [email protected]
