Have you met Mitola and Sam yet?
If not, you need to read the latest comic book created by MITGEST, titled Mitola and the Mito-verse, where we explore the structure and role of mitochondria and their implications in mitochondrial disease. This comic book is designed for patients, families, and friends, providing a deeper understanding of mitochondria and their vital roles.
The comic was created and designed by Eve Harding (DC2) and Francesca Tavolaro (DC9).
We wanted to learn more about their creative process and what they’ve gained from this journey, so we invited them to discuss their experiences.
To kick us off, Eve, can you tell more about the process of developing Sam's character and her journey through the Mito-verse?
Eve: Of course! In developing Sam’s character, our goal was to create a relatable figure with whom readers could connect on a personal level. By personifying the mitochondria as a character, we aimed to simplify complex concepts and make them more accessible. This approach not only enhances engagement but also helps readers invest emotionally in the story.
Moreover, by incorporating these elements, we believe Sam’s journey becomes more memorable, making it easier for readers to discuss the themes of mitochondrial disease with their friends and family, fostering education and awareness in a relatable context.
However, I'm sure you can agree that balancing scientific accuracy with engaging storytelling was a challenge. What do you think helped us navigate that?
Francesca: Of course, it was no easy task but training on science communication and storytelling from accelopment helped. We focused on making the science easy to understand without overwhelming readers. We used simple, fun analogies and visuals to explain how mitochondria work, while still staying true to the facts. Our goal was to create characters and stories that people, especially kids, could connect with emotionally. We also reviewed the concepts with MITGEST Principal Investigators (PIs) and our communication expert who delivered training to ensure everything was clear and accurate while keeping the story interesting and relatable.
Although it was hard to translate the mitochondrial complexities into a visual narrative, wouldn’t you agree?
Eve: Yes I agree, there were some bottlenecks. One of the primary challenges we faced was determining the appropriate level of complexity to convey in our narrative. We needed to gauge the baseline knowledge of our audience regarding molecular biology, which proved to be harder than we anticipated.
We discovered that concepts we considered simple were often too advanced for the audience we aimed to reach. To address this, the guidance of the Lily Foundation was indispensable. Their direct interactions with patients provided valuable insights into their understanding and knowledge levels. This collaboration helped us refine our language and adapt our visuals, ensuring they were accessible and engaging for our target audience. Collaboration and teamwork were key to making this come to life.
How would you say the collaboration between us went? What were our roles, and how did we divide them?
Francesca: The collaboration between us flowed truly naturally. Eve came up with the initial idea of the Mito-verse, and from there, we developed the rest of the concepts together. It was a fun and creative process where we didn’t actually divide roles—both of us just contributed freely, and we went with the flow of ideas. It felt organic, and that spontaneity helped bring the project to life.
It was a great time and in the end, we created a great piece to communicate our work. Do you think visual storytelling, like comics, is an effective tool for science communication and should be implemented more widely?
Eve: Absolutely! Visual storytelling, such as comics, is an incredibly effective tool for science communication for several reasons. First, imagery plays a crucial role in helping audiences visualize complex concepts that can often seem abstract when presented in text alone. For example, understanding the inner and outer membranes of mitochondria can be challenging through words alone, but visual representation makes these structures more accessible and easier to comprehend.
Moreover, comics transform the presentation of scientific information, making it engaging and interesting, as opposed to traditional, lengthy nonfiction texts. This format is particularly beneficial for all audiences, especially considering that many mitochondrial patients are diagnosed in childhood. By providing suitable and captivating resources at a young age, we empower not only the parents but also the children to understand their condition. This early exposure fosters knowledge, enabling families to make more informed decisions and understand the implications of the diagnosis more effectively.
Coming off this, what impact do you hope Mitola and the Mito-verse will have on readers, particularly those unfamiliar with mitochondrial research?
Francesca: With Mitola and the Mito-verse, we hope to open up the world of mitochondrial research in a way that’s fun, relatable, and easy to understand—especially for kids and patients. Our goal is to turn something complex into an exciting adventure, helping readers see how important mitochondria are for our health. For young patients, we want Mitola to be a source of comfort and empowerment, helping them understand their condition without feeling overwhelmed. By blending storytelling with science, we hope to inspire curiosity, spread awareness, and show that even in difficult situations, there’s always room for hope and discovery.
We are coming to a close, and finally, what lessons have you learned from this creative experience that might influence how you communicate science in the future?
Eve: This creative experience has taught me several valuable lessons that will influence how I communicate science in the future. First and foremost, I’ve learned to adapt my work into a more manageable and accessible format. This includes simplifying terminology and design elements while also embracing the freedom to play creatively to convey important messages.
I now have a deeper appreciation for the necessity of effective science communication, especially since the ultimate goal is to benefit the public by enhancing their understanding of disease mechanisms and drug development. Bridging the gap between academics and the general population is crucial, as individuals diagnosed with diseases often possess invaluable insights.
It’s essential for scientists to not only explain their research but also listen to and learn from those directly affected. This reciprocal relationship will significantly influence my future efforts, and I aim to communicate more of my work to the public through creative imagery and social outreach initiatives.
Eve Harding (DC2)
Thank you for taking the time to read our comic book and learn about the process behind it! It was a great time, and we hope to see you all again in the Mito-verse!
Francesca Tavolaro (DC9)
Yes! It has been a great journey, as we enjoyed bringing people closer to the mitochondria.
