Isolation of mitochondria from cells and tissues

Mitochondria are complex organelles at the center of cellular metabolism, apoptosis, and signaling. They continue to be the subject of intense basic investigation to understand their composition and function, but they have also captivated the attention of clinical researchers because of the growing knowledge of the (sometimes unexpected) roles of mitochondria in human diseases and aging. A full understanding of these intriguing organelles often requires their purification from cells or tissues under specific physiological or pathological conditions. Here we provide some introductory considerations for those interested in purifying mitochondria for subsequent downstream biophysical, structural, and functional analysis.