Dr. Kaufman’s long-standing research interest is to understand the contribution of mtDNA metabolism to disease progression. For 20 years he has been uncovering the fundamental processes that underlie mitochondrial respiratory deficiency with a focus on mtDNA stability and copy number control – processes essential for respiratory function and viability. Dr. Kaufman’s major research goals are 1) to define the biochemical events responsible for the maintenance of mtDNA content, 2) to understand how distinct pathways influence mtDNA maintenance, and 3) to understand mechanisms of mtDNA damage and resistance to damage in the context of disease.