![[Skip header]](/transdot.gif)
Dr Patrick C Hickey
On Monday 23rd February 2026, at 7pm
Mitochondria are believed to have evolved via endosymbiosis over 2 billion years ago, where primitive bacteria were taken up into cells. In fungi, they exist as a population within hyphae and spores, moving freely within the cytoplasm. Time-lapse live-cell imaging reveals the dynamics of individual organelles including mitochondria and nuclei. Results from recent experiments indicate that mitochondria, together with motor proteins, may provide significant forces to help drive cytoplasmic streaming, organelle motility, tip growth, fusion and cell morphology. This suggests mitochondria are not just energy generators - they are housekeepers, messengers and modulators, intimately involved in the mechanisms of growth and cellular regulation.
Dr Patrick C. Hickey is an independent scientist based at Summerhall in Edinburgh. He specialises in time-lapse photography, microscopy and imaging of fungi. Patrick’s research is focused on understanding hyphal tip growth, the development of mycelium networks and applications of fungi in biotechnology. Patrick embraces the interfaces between art and science through collaborations on films, documentaries, exhibitions, installations, music events and advertisements. He is a guest lecturer at the University of Edinburgh with numerous publications on fungal biology and regular contributor to broadcast TV, including the BBC's “After Life” (2011), “The Magic of Mushrooms” (2014) and “Planet Earth III” (2023) and “Food Unwrapped” (Channel 4; 2013-2025).