Holta KB et al., Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) - This episode explains a quantitative framework for diffusion on spatially embedded dynamic mitochondrial networks. The study combines analytic theory, agent-based simulations, and live-cell imaging to show how connectivity, fusion/fission, and mobility set biomolecular mixing on mitochondrial populations. Key terms: mitochondria, diffusion, intracellular transport, temporal networks, fusion-fission. Study Highlights: The authors develop an analytic and simulation framework for diffusive spreading on spatially embedded dynamic networks formed by mitochondrial fusion and fission. They identify a connectivity-driven transition from three-dimensional dispersion across transiently interacting clusters (social regime) to low-dimensional transport along largely stationary interconnected tubules (physical regime). The steady-state distribution is determined by competing timescales for cluster filling, encounter, fusion/fission, and material decay. Application to three human cell lines reveals cell-type variability in predicted spreading times, with hyperfused networks limited by intracluster diffusion and fragmented networks limited by encounters. Conclusion: Network connectivity and the balance of diffusion, encounter, and fusion/fission timescales quantitatively determine mitochondrial material homogenization, producing distinct scaling regimes with measurable predictions across cell types. Music: Enjoy the music based on this article at the end of the episode. Article title: Diffusive spreading across dynamic mitochondrial network architectures First author: Holta KB Journal: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2523913123 Reference: Holta KB, Zurita C, Teryoshin L, Lewis SC, Koslover EF. Diffusive spreading across dynamic mitochondrial network architectures. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2026;123(15):e2523913123. doi:10.1073/pnas.2523913123 License: This episode is based on an open-access article published under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0) – https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Support: Base by Base – Stripe donations: https://donate.stripe.com/7sY4gz71B2sN3RWac5gEg00 Official website https://basebybase.com On PaperCast Base by Base you'll discover the latest in genomics, functional genomics, structural genomics, and proteomics. Episode link: https://basebybase.com/episodes/diffusive-spreading-mitochondrial-networks QC: This episode was checked against the original article PDF and publication metadata for the episode release published on 2026-04-19. QC Scope: - article metadata and core scientific claims from the narration - excludes analogies, intro/outro, and music - transcript coverage: Substantive auditing of the transcript’s representation of the article’s core framework, regimes, timescales, cell-type predictions, modeling approach, and acknowledged limitations, with cross-checks against the original article text and the facts pack. - transcript topics: Temporal networks framework for diffusion on dynamic mitochondrial networks; Physical vs social mitochondrial network regimes; Four timescales governing diffusion: decay, cluster filling, encounter, fission; Agent-based spherocylindrical model and finite-volume diffusion; Time-resolved imaging and cell-type parameterization (SH-SY5Y, IMR90, U2OS); Predictions of spreading times across cell types QC Summary: - factual score: 10/10 - metadata score: 10/10 - supported core claims: 7 - claims flagged for review: 0 - metadata checks passed: 4 - metadata issues found: 0 Metadata Audited: - article_doi - article_title - article_journal - license Factual Items Audite...
