This conference will explore how mitochondria govern key transitions in cell fate—from quiescence to activation, differentiation, plasticity, and senescence. Recent advances show that mitochondrial dynamics, ultrastructure, and metabolite signaling are tightly linked to decisions that define tissue homeostasis, regeneration, immune responses, and ageing. These insights have far-reaching implications for understanding stem cell biology, cancer development, and degenerative disease. The meeting aims to bring together a multidisciplinary audience of stem cell biologists, mitochondrial researchers, immunologists, cancer biologists, neuroscientists and ageing experts to explore mitochondria as master regulators of cell identity. Key sessions will cover mitochondrial influence on stemness and differentiation, the role of mitochondrial signaling in cell fate, mechanisms of mitophagy and inner mitochondrial membrane remodelling during fate transitions, and how mitochondrial dysfunction contributes to cell senescence and disease.

The meeting will emphasise unpublished data, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and early-career researcher integration to accelerate advances in mitochondrial control of cell fate and regenerative biology. As organisers, we are excited to create a focused platform for this rapidly evolving topic and connect diverse scientific communities that study mitochondria through the lens of cell fate and maintenance of cellular and tissue homeostasis.