A UK-based biotechnology company working to enable a new generation of mitochondrial engineering technologies and therapeutics based on mitochondrial export
MitoExport Limited (Cambridge, UK) is bioengineering a first-in-class technology platform (MitoExporter) for programmable and selective export of mitochondria out of cells. MitoExporter has the potential to enable long-term maintenance and fine-tuning of engineered mtDNA at defined levels, which would address crucial bottlenecks for mitochondrial editing and transplantation therapies.We aim to develop novel, UK-based therapeutic modalities by combining MitoExporter with mitochondrial DNA editing and mitochondrial transplantation by exporting unengineered and untransplanted mitochondria. In addition, MitoExporter has vast potential as a standalone technology platform and therapeutic, including for removing damaged mitochondria. It has been proposed that damaged mitochondria would be the most important cellular component to export out of cells (with the biggest therapeutic benefits) by MitoExporter. A long-term aim of MitoExport Limited is to start clinical trials for age-related diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease.We are currently applying to a grant to develop MitoExporter by doing lab experiments that have been carefully planned for two years. Once specific milestones given by investors have been reached, we will accept investments. MitoExport is also looking for new team members, collaborators, and advisors.You can fund the proof-of-concept experiments at https://gofund.me/432770a79 so that we can reach the milestones given by investors.
From a Bio-Spark (Cambridge Gravity) pitch
Figure: MitoExporter can be customised to export mitochondria of interest, including those that were not engineered or transplanted. Thus, MitoExporter could enable therapeutics based on combining mitochondrial engineering (inside or outside cells) with export of non-engineered mitochondria. Further in the future, MitoExporter could also be adapted to remove damaged or dysfunctional mitochondria.
About our founderBjorn Fraser Olaisen pursued a Molecular Genetics BSc (King's College London) and a PhD in cellular technology development at the University of Cambridge to build the expertise required to innovate therapeutic modalities in MitoExporter. The laboratory skills acquired and the development of technology frameworks have been valuable for developing the MitoExporter work. Starting and finishing advanced technologies (novel quantitative epigenomic profiling methods and profiling methods for aged cells), requires frequent and rational risk-taking, adaptable intuition (because many factors are unknown), and the ability to manage the considerable possibility that the projects may not work or take too long.The main technology project, supervised by Prof Sir Shankar Balasubramanian (co-inventor of the widely used Solexa-Illumina DNA Next Generation Sequencing technology, ℎ𝑡𝑡𝑝𝑠://𝑏𝑖𝑡.𝑙𝑦/43𝐴𝑅𝐼8𝐼), was meant to be done by a postdoc, and Fraser Olaisen was offered to change the project several times during roadblocks, but he persevered and completed it. He completed the main part of the project in 5 months, while a group of three people in another lab spent over a year to achieve an equivalent result. In addition, Fraser Olaisen worked with Altos Labs to develop a new technology and discover new therapeutic targets in cells.The MitoExport work is, and has been, independent from his research at the University of Cambridge and with Altos Labs.He built experience relevant for the MitoExporter technology when identifying modulators of mitophagy (selective removal of mitochondria) in aging and Alzheimer's (Evandro Fang Lab at the University of Oslo, https://evandrofanglab.com/), investigating partial epigenetic reprogramming in cells (Sinclair Lab, Harvard Medical School), and exploring epigenetics mechanisms (during his Molecular Genetics degree at King's College London).Fraser Olaisen is mentored by Fifty Years VC, which organises the 5050 UK company building programme, backed by the Advanced Research + Invention Agency (ARIA), that he was part of. Other mentors include Prof Sir Tony Kouzarides and Rodrigo Santos from the Cambridge Gravity Bio-Spark company building programme.Fraser Olaisen has long been interested in extending the healthy part of our life, and reasoned that repairing or enhancing cellular components is a promising avenue. Mitochondria are his main interest in part because they are particularly important in cell biology, diseases, and aging. The hypothesis (shared by many) is that mitochondria would be the most important component to be fixed in diseases and aging. Thus, Fraser Olaisen has focused his career on exporting mitochondria to enhance mitochondrial engineering, transplantation, and eventually also removal of damaged or dysfunctional mitochondria.
Contact details
Please reach out if you have any questions or want to get involved. We are currently looking for co-workers, collaborators, and funding opportunities.
Bjorn Fraser Olaisen: [email protected]
MitoExport Limited | England | Company reg 16929018Registered address: 9 Caxton House, Broad Street, Cambourne, Cambridge, CB23 6JN, UNITED KINGDOM
