Environmental Stress: Mitochondria as Targets and Stressors in Cellular Metabolism

Stress is part of life of any organism: stresses may originate from biochemical processes within the cells as well as from impacts exerted by the environment among which disturbance of diurnal and seasonal rhythms, radiation effects, mental and physiological disturbances, and organ degeneration by reduced encroachment in confinement are those of particular significance in deep space exploration. The knowledge of mutual stress responses, their mechanisms and countermeasures will be a prerequisite for successful manned space missions. Mitochondria as the key players in the complex network of cellular functions are thus preferentially suited for cellular stress management.