Cosa Facciamo / Sostegno alla ricerca
Mithocondrial Disease Conference
Pisa 2026
JANUARY 23-24-25, 2026Hotel Galilei, Via Darsena, 1 - 56121 Pisa
TOTAL ALLOCATED FUNDS
386.000,00 €
YEARS
2010-2026
Registration is open!
Call For Abstract
LATE-BREAKING NEWS & POSTER SESSIONS
Submit your abstract by November 27th, 2025
The 3 abstracts presenting the most recent and relevant scientific data will be selected for oral presentation during the Late-Breaking News Session.
All accepted abstracts will be presented during the Poster Session of the Mito Conference 2026.
Submit your abstract by writing to:
scientific.office@mitocon.it
Call For Abstract
YOUNG INVESTIGATOR & POSTER SESSIONS
Submit your abstract by October 1st, 2025
The 4 best abstracts will be presented as oral communications.
All accepted abstracts will be presented during the Poster Session of the Mito Conference 2026.
Submit your abstract by writing to:
scientific.office@mitocon.it
Registration is open!
Join us at the Mitochondrial Disease Conference 2026
We’re excited to announce the 15th edition of the Mitochondrial Disease Conference, organized by Mitocon in collaboration with its Scientific Committee. The event will take place in Pisa from January 23 to 25, 2026, and will bring together patients, families, clinicians and researchers from Italy and around the world.
Since 2010, Mitocon has been bringing together doctors, researchers, patients, families, and caregivers at the Mitochondrial Disease Conference — the leading event in Italy dedicated to advancing mitochondrial medicine through international collaboration.
Mitochondrial diseases are complex, multi-system disorders that can affect people of all ages, from infancy to adulthood. In recent years, the field has made extraordinary progress: we are moving beyond diagnosis and toward the development of new treatments. Today, advances in therapies, artificial intelligence, gene editing, and clinical trials are opening new horizons for improving patients’ lives.
The 15th Mito Conference will offer a dynamic and forward-looking program, covering the most recent discoveries and the key challenges ahead. Topics will include:
- Cutting-edge therapeutic approaches
- Gene therapies and mitochondrial DNA donation
- Patient registries as a tool for research and care
- Collaboration with the pharmaceutical industry to accelerate innovation
In addition, this edition will feature two exclusive satellite symposia:
- Artificial Intelligence in Mitochondrial Medicine: emerging tools for diagnosis and monitoring— how AI is transforming mitochondrial medicine
Advances in Mitochondrial Optic Neuropathies — the latest research and clinical developments
We are also proud to promote the participation of young scientists and clinicians, helping to shape the future of mitochondrial research.
The conference will be held entirely in English, with simultaneous Italian translation provided for patients and families.
Mitocon is Italy’s leading non-profit patient organization dedicated to advancing research and finding a cure for mitochondrial diseases. Encouraging collaboration and the open exchange of knowledge within the global scientific community is at the heart of our mission. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to connect, learn, and drive progress in mitochondrial medicine.
Stay tuned and join us in Pisa — together, let’s light the way to a cure!
- Anna Ardissone, Department of Pediatric Neuroscience, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milano
- Enrico Bertini, Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Bambino Gesù Children’s Research Hospital, Roma.
- Valerio Carelli, IRCCS Institute of Neurological Sciences (ISNB), Bellaria Hospital, Bologna/University of Bologna.
- Massimiliano Filosto, NeMO Clinical Center-Brescia for Neuromuscolar Diseases; Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia.
- Costanza Lamperti, Department of Medical Genetics and Neurogenetics, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta
- Michelangelo Mancuso, AOUP, Neurological Institute, University of Pisa.
- Olimpia Musumeci, AOU Policlinico “G.Martino”, University of Messina.
- Serenella Servidei, Neurology Institute, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma.
- Valeria Tiranti, Department of Medical Genetics and Neurogenetics, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta
- Carlo Fiore Viscomi, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova.
Please note that the program is currently in draft version. Stay tuned for the final agenda!
Day 1
Friday 23rd January
12:00 – 1:15 pm
Arrivals, Registration & Light lunch
1:15 pm – Concorde Room
Welcome to the Mitochondrial Disease Conference 2026
- Marco Marmotta, President, Mitocon – Insieme per lo Studio e la Cura delle Malattie Mitocondriali ODV
- University of Pisa and AOUP Delegates
- Paula Morandi, International Mito Patients Delegate
- Olimpia Musumeci, Scientific Committee Delegate
The Voice of patients
- What Does Mitochondrial Disease Mean to Me – Stories from Mito Patients and Families
2:00 pm
Keynote Lecture Mechanisms for mtDNA maintenance and relevance for human pathology
Nils-Göran Larsson, Karolinska Institute;
Introduction
Chair: Massimo Zeviani, Institute for Maternal and Child Health IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste
2:45 – 4:15 pm
Session 1 – Basic Science
Chair: Valeria Tiranti, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta
Chair: Piero Santantonio, MitoconSpeakers
- 2:45 New therapeutic approaches for mitochondrial myopathies – Carlo Viscomi, University of Padova
Q&A- 3:15 The SURF1 KO pig: A translational model to implement new therapeutic treatments for Leigh Syndrome – Dario Brunetti, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta
Q&A- 3:45 Restoring mitochondrial DNA metabolism and function – Antonella Spinazzola, University College London
Q&A
4:15 pm
Scientific Coffee with Posters
5:00 – 6:30 pm
Session 2 – Clinical Updates
Chair: Enrico Bertini, Bambino Gesù Children’s Research Hospital IRCCS, Roma
Chair: Paola Desideri MitoconSpeakers
- 5:00 Mitochondrial Leukoencephalopathies: data from a multicentric observational Study – Anna Ardissone, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta
Q&A- 5:30 Sildenafil in Leigh syndrome: translational path from stem cells-based drug discovery to clinical trials, Alessandro Prigione, University of Dusseldorf
Q&A- 6.00 MELAS Management, Costanza Lamperti – Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta
Q&A
6:30 pm
Closing day 1
7:30 pm
Networking Dinner
Day 2
Saturday 24th January
8:15 am
Arrivals & Registrations
8:30 – 10:10 am Concorde Room
Session 3
Advances in TherapiesChair: Massimiliano Filosto, University of Brescia
Chair: Paula Morandi, Mitocon
Speakers
- 8:30 Advances in MNGIE –Ramon Marti, Vall d’ Hebron Research Institute and CIBERER, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona.
Q&A- 9:00 Advances in Thymidine Kinase 2 Deficiency – Cristina Dominguez , ‘12 de Octubre’ Hospital Research Institute of Madrid
Q&A- 9:30 Mitochondrial Donation in Clinical Practice: insights from the UK Reproductive Care Pathway – Robert McFarland, Newcastle University
Q&A
10:00 – 11:00 am
Session 4: Young Investigator Session
Chair: Carlo Viscomi, University of Padova
Chair: Francesca Latella, Mitocon
- 10:00 Flash Talk: Brain physiological transcriptomic architecture underpinnings of regional vulnerability to stroke-like lesions in MELAS – Matteo Azzimonti, IRCCS Fondazione Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore PoliclinicoQ&A
- 10:15 Flash Talk: Investigating LHON-Linked Mitochondrial and Synaptic Impairments in Human iPSC-Derived RGCs – Andrea Cavaliere, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo BestaQ&A
- 10:30 Flash Talk: Development of a novel approach to mitochondrial gene therapy: nanoparticle mediated delivery of intact, functional mtDNA – Kyrie Wilson, Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), Charleston USAQ&A
- 10:45 Flash Talk: hiPSC-derived microglia-like cells: establishing a model to study POLG-related mitochondrial disease, Piervito Lopriore, University of PisaQ&A
11:00 am
Coffee Break
11:15 – 12:00 pm
Keynote Lecture: Gene therapies in PMDs
Carlos T. Moraes, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
Introduction: Valeria Tiranti, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta
12:00 – 1:30 pm
Session 4: Collaboration Models to Accelerate Therapies — Pharma, Academia, Regulators and Foundations
Chair: Michelangelo Mancuso, University of Pisa, Valerio Carelli, University of Bologna
Chair: Piero Santantonio, Mitocon
- Participants: Representatives from academia, industry, regulators foundations
- 1:15 Discussion
1:30 – 2:30 pm
Lunch Break
2:30 – 4:00 pm
Session 5: Clinical Registries as a tool for improving patient care and research
Chair: Costanza LampertiChair: Piero Santantonio, Mitocon
Speakers
- 2:30 The Power of Collaboration: how the GENOMIT Registry enables Natural History Studies and advanced Genetics of Mitochondrial Diseases– Holger Prokisch, Helmholtz Zentrum, MunichQ&A
- 3:00 Insights from the Spanish Clinical Registry and Biobank – Marcello Bellusci, University Hospital “12 de Octubre” MadridQ&A
- 3:30 The Italian Clinical Registry for Mitochondrial Diseases: Insights from a National Experience – Michelangelo Mancuso, University of PisaQ&A
4:00 pm
Late Breaking News
Chair: Serenella Servidei, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore Roma
Chair: Paola Desideri, Mitocon
- 4:00 LBN
- 4:20 LBN
- 4:40 LBN
5:00 pm
Coffee Break
5:15-5:45 pm
Closing Lecture: An overview on LHON management
Valerio Carelli, University of Bologna
5:45 pm
Mito Awards
Chair: Carlo Viscomi, University of Padova
Chair: Marco Marmotta, Mitocon
6:00 pm
Closing Remarks
Michelangelo Mancuso, University of Pisa
6:15 pm
Closing of the Mitochondrial Disease Conference 2026
Day 1
Friday 23rd January
Mustang Room
10:30 – 12:00 Pm
Satellite Symposium – Advances in Mitochondrial Optic Neuropathies
Chair: Valerio Carelli, IRCCS Institute of Neurological Sciences, Bologna
Chair: Paula Morandi, Mitocon
Speakers
- 10:30 Molecular diagnostics for Mitochondrial Optic Neuropathies – Claudio Fiorini, IRCCS Institute of Neurological Sciences, Bologna
- 10:45 Clinical use of OCT in the diagnosis of Mitochondrial Optic Neuropathies, Piero Barboni, San Raffaele University, Milano
- 11:00 Clinical findings in Mitochondrial Optic Neuropathies: diagnostic insights, Anna Maria De Negri, San Camillo Forlanini Hospital Roma
- 11:15 International Consensus on the clinical management of Leber’s Hereditary Optic Neuropathy – Thomas Klopstock, University of Munich
- 11:30 Gene Therapy strategies for Mitochondrial Optic Neuropathies – Chiara La Morgia, IRCCS Institute of Neurological Sciences, Bologna
10:45 Pm
Q&A
12:00 Pm
Closing Remarks
Valerio Carelli, IRCCS Institute of Neurological Sciences, Bologna
Day 1
Friday 23rd January
09.00
Greetings
09.15 – 10.15
Session I: AI in Health: from the general opportunity to the application to mitochondrial diseaseChairs: Silvestro Micera (Pisa), Marcello Bellusci (Madrid)
09.15 – 09.35
Lecture I: Digital Health: From AI to Data-Intensive Platformsand Beyond.
Paolo Ferragina (Pisa)
09.35 – 09.55
Lecture II: Modeling of physiological and pathological health conditions using AI and wearables.
Mariangela Filosa (Pisa)
09.55 – 10.10
Q&A
10.10 – 11.15
Session II: Tools of Tomorrow – AI for Biomarkers, Genetics, and Wearables in mitochondrial medicineChairs: Serenella Servidei (Rome), Robert McFarland (Newcastle)
10.10
Mitochondrial Disease Monitoring Through Wearable Devices
Holger Prokisch (Munich)
10.30
Biomarkers discovery applying AI
Dimitri Smirnow (Munich)
10.50
Impact-UNICAS project: Pediatric Data federation through AI tools.
Helena Rodriguez-Gonzalez, Natalia Garcia, Rafa Artuch (Barcelona)
11.10
Intelligent Innovation(s) for Mitochondrial Medicine.
Keshav K. Singh (Birmingham, USA)
11.30 – 11.45
Q&A
11.45 – 12.30
Session III: Mitochondrial Diseases: Unravelling The Clinical Maze By Omics And Artificial IntelligenceChairs: Maria Lucia Valentino (Bologna), Olimpia Musumeci (Messina)
11.45 – 12.05
Automating DNA Mutation Identification in Primary Mitochondrial Diseases Using Non-Genetic and Histological-Free Clinical Data.
Andrea Bandini (Pisa)
12.05
Round Table: the future of mitochondrial medicine in view of the AI-Powered Tools. An European Perspective
A. Bandini, M. Bellusci, V. Carelli, T. Klopstock, R. McFarland, G. Primiano, C. Lamperti, S. Micera, H. Prokisch
Chair: M. Mancuso
12.30
Closing
Day 3
Sunday 25th January
9:15
Arrivi e Registrazione Ospiti
9:25
Apertura dei Lavori e Saluto di Benvenuto
- Marco Marmotta, Presidente Mitocon
9:30 – 10:00
Convegno Nazionale sulle Malattie Mitocondriali: dalla ricerca di base agli approcci terapeutici, quali sono le principali novità per i pazienti
- Serenella Servidei, Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli di Roma
10:00 – 11:00
Mitocon: una rete di persone a supporto dei pazienti e della ricerca scientifica
Intervengono:
- Marco Marmotta, Presidente Mitocon
- Paola Desideri e Piero Santantonio Referenti Ricerca Scientifica
- Francesca Latella, Referente Supporto Psicologico
- Cristina Rebagliati, Referente Pazienti Pediatrici
- Paula Morandi, Referente per le Persone con Malattia Mitocondriale della Vista
- Marzia Giulia Camera, Referente Pazienti Adulti
- Marco Cicchelli, Rapporti con i Volontari e il Territorio
- Mauro Maniero, Campagne di Raccolta Fondi e Occasioni Speciali
- Fabrizio Farnetani, Rapporti Istituzionali
11:00
Coffe Break
Under the Patronage of
FAQ
The in-person registration fee includes: • Full access to scientific program: oral and poster presentations • Conference Material • Digital Abstract Book • Lunch and coffee break during the conference • Recordings of the live-stream sessions • Certificate of Attendance
No. The following must be paid separately: accommodation and dinners.
You can include this information in the registration form or email us to segreteria@mitocon.it. We will be glad to embrace your needs.
u have to attend the100% of the faculties.
