Many neurological disorders are associated with dysfunctions in cellular power plants, the mitochondria. SyNergy member Angelika Harbauer and her team at the MPI for Biological Intelligence (in foundation) and Technical University Munich study mitochondria in nerve cells to better understand the development of disease and the mode of action of pharmaceuticals. Among other things, the scientists want to know how cellular communication pathways influence the production and function of mitochondria. This research will now be supported by a Starting Grant from the European Research Council (ERC) of € 1.5 million for the next five years.