Advances in Mitochondrial Morphological Analysis Techniques

WANG Dawei¹, WANG Xueping¹, LIU Jiaxin², DAI Xu³, TSENG Yiider¹, LAN Tian¹*

（¹Innovation Research Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250355, China; ²College of Pharmaceutical Science, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250355, China; ³College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250355, China)

Abstract:

Mitochondria, serving as the central hub for cellular energy metabolism and signal transduction, are crucial for understanding both cellular physiology and disease mechanisms. A precise elucidation of the relationship between mitochondrial morphological dynamics and functional states is therefore essential. This review systematically synthesizes research on the associations between various mitochondrial morphological features such as imbalances in fusion-fission dynamics, abnormal swelling, and disorganized spatial distribution—and a range of pathological conditions. Moreover, the review highlights the pivotal role that advances in high-resolution microscopic imaging, the development of innovative molecular probes, and the integration of intelligent image analysis methods have played in enhancing the observation and quantitative analysis of mitochondrial morphology.

CSTR: 32200.14.cjcb.2025.07.0026