To unravel problems of mitochondrial energy metabolism as potential source of human CNS diseases, to identify potential mitochondria-oriented neuroprotective strategies and to provide a diagnostic platform for metabolism-related forms of genetic epilepsy. Profile: The following research topics are in the focus of the laboratory: • Dysfunction of mitochondria associated with epilepsy, neurodegenerative disorders, mitochondrial diseases and aging • Genetics of the mitochondrial DNA and origin of mitochondria DNA mutations • Brain energy metabolism as potential target of neuroprotective strategies • Identification of genomic variants associated with epilepsy