Al-Farabi Kazakh National University Hosts Leadership Lecture by Temurkhan Ayupov on Programmable Delivery of Mitochondria

On November 5, the Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University hosted a leadership lecture by Temurkhan Ayupov, PhD, titled “Programmable Delivery of Mitochondria to Specific Cell Types.” The event was organized by the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics.
Temurkhan Ayupov, a graduate of the department, now leads an independent research group at the Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel (IOB, Switzerland). His bachelor’s thesis supervisor at KazNU was Amangeldy Bissenbaev, Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of Kazakhstan and Professor.
Speaking to faculty, students, master’s and doctoral students, and young researchers, he presented recent advances in mitochondrial biology and approaches to targeted mitochondrial delivery. The main focus was the MitoCatch technology, which makes it possible to deliver mitochondria to target cells, including neurons and retinal cells. The results were published in Nature in the paper “Cell-type-targeted mitochondrial transplantation rescues cell degeneration.” The technology opens up prospects for new treatments of neurodegenerative diseases and vision disorders.
The audience was especially interested in the researcher’s career path. In 2026, his work was recognized with the Mitochondrial Innovation Award, UZH Brain Diseases Award, RetinAward, and ProRetina Award. He was also named to the international InfluenceAsia 35 Under 35 list and the national Forbes 30 Under 30 Kazakhstan ranking.
The Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics wishes Temurkhan Ayupov continued scientific success and professional growth.