Mitochondria are tiny metabolic “machines” within our cells that break down nutrients to generate energy and assemble diverse molecules to support cellular functions. Dave Pagliarini studies how the many protein parts of these machines operate and how human diseases arise when mitochondria fail. His team has a particular interest in defining how mitochondria synthesize, use, and distribute coenzyme Q to support many metabolic and antioxidant roles throughout the cell. They are also exploring new approaches to rectify cellular dysfunction rooted in coenzyme Q deficiency.