Jon Brestoff

Curious about #mitochondria transfer? Check out our latest #MitoTransfer review with the @theHumanBorch in @Nature Feel free to post your thoughts, ideas, and questions below. Please RT to help grow this blossoming field. nature.com/articles/s4158…

@niroshajmurugan @TOEwithCurt I love this

A physics insight that changed how I see biology is that non-equilibrium systems coordinate communication through constraining energetic landscapes, not just stepwise, diffusion-based reactions. Many cellular decisions happen too quickly and synchronously for molecular cascades alone, suggesting biological information is not only chemical. Energetic modalities like light and electromagnetic fields influence organization and function across scales. This feels there's an overdue intergration of these first-principles in physiology.

What’s an idea (math, physics, or otherwise) that changed how you see everything?

I’m excited to be launching a new publication on Substack today: The Science and Experience of Energy! The last few years have invited me, like many of us, to clarify my place in the world. I’m a scientist who’s devoted his career to bridging mitochondrial science and psychobiology. But I want to do more than just publishing papers for other academics—it’s important, but not sufficient. I am moved to bridge science and experience not just in the lab, but in life as well. That’s why I’m writing the ENERGY book. And why starting this Substack makes sense now. It feels like a coming out of sort, from my academic shell: sharing some things that non-scientists may not know about, and sharing experiences that scientists typically don’t talk about. That bridging of science and experience, I feel, will propel us forward towards a deeper truth about who we are and how we can fulfill our potential. I’m excited to share this journey with you. In this publication, you’ll find three types of pieces: 1. The ENERGY SCIENCE pieces will share the latest advances in mitochondrial science. 2. The BEHIND THE PAPER category will describe how a specific study came to be, or the backstory of a discovery. 3. The LIVED EXPERIENCES will allow you to connect with other human beings willing to share their energetic experience of growth and transformation. Everything in this publication will always be free. I’ll put energy in each post. And as the publication grows, we’ll invite others to contribute their energy as well, including my wonderful wife @msahsorin. Please join us by subscribing. And if you feel so compelled, sharing with your community. martinpicard.substack.com

#throwback COMMENT | @CreweLab et al A brief guide to studying extracellular vesicle function in the context of metabolism nature.com/articles/s4225…

@GreletLab @NatMetabolism Thanks, Simon

@BrestoffLab @NatMetabolism Congratulations! This is well deserved for such an important review.

This was a fun surprise today! #1 cited review in @NatMetabolism in 2025.

Steven L Teitelbaum, MD, a legend @washumedicine, passed away. He was a rigorous physician-scientist, life altering mentor, fierce advocate, and family man. I feel lucky to have gotten to work so closely with him. Few have taught me as much as he did.

Proud to announce Dr Stella Varnum! Her defense today was flawless. She is the first PhD student to graduate from my lab, so it was extra bittersweet today. #proudPI @WUSTLImmuno

Very excited for tomorrow and for soon-to-be Dr. Stella Varnum!

@MitoPsychoBio @riegalski Thanks Martin!

@riegalski @BrestoffLab is amazing

It seems likely that mitochondria transfer and mitochondria-based therapies will be a significant part of medicine in the future.

Boosting mitochondria number and function to slow cellular aging washingtonpost.com/science/2025/1… pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pn…

This will be a great conference!

@Cell_Metabolism @WentongJ check this out

New! Online now: Endothelial senescent-cell-specific clearance alleviates metabolic dysfunction in obese mice dlvr.it/TPN6zd

Thanks to @trikomes for having me on your show! #mitochondria transfer and #obesity and #inflammation

@AWeinstock Congrats Ada!

Elated to share that the Weinstock lab just got its 1st R01!! We are SO grateful to the hardworking NIH staff for tirelessly pushing to get those last NOAs out

Happy to share our new paper in @Nature led by staff scientist Xuejing Liu @Jessielxj2. We report identification of a UCP1-independent pathway of brown fat thermogenesis involving ATP-consuming metabolism of BCFA in peroxisomes. #Obesity #T2D nature.com/articles/s4158… @WashUDeptMed

#Throwback CONSENSUS STATEMENT | @BrestoffLab, @mitoscientist et al. Recommendations for mitochondria transfer and transplantation nomenclature and characterization nature.com/articles/s4225…

New Viewpoint in @NatMetabolism on Mitochondria Transfer nature.com/articles/s4225…

@MitoPsychoBio The number of membranes here is confusing. There are also some vesicular structures at the top. Suggests something very complex is taking place

Some unhealthy mitochondria develop rigidified cristae that bend at very specific angles

This was a labor of love requiring lots of teamwork over years, repeating in 3 locations! Thanks to all the lab over the years, giving their time generously to this team project, & our wonderful collaborators. The source of fat matters for anti-tumor immunity 🐄🐖🧈🌴🫒🥥