Researcher on the biology of aging, Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic scientist who studies how senescent, or 'zombie', cells drive inflammation, with a focus on the role of mitochondria. He led a Nature study reporting that 'rogue' mitochondria in senescent cells leak DNA that sparks inflammation, and was senior author on three papers in Mayo's 2026 package on senescent cells.
WHAT TO WATCHWhether ways of blocking the inflammation coming from zombie cells, now tested in mice, move toward studies in people.
Seven Mayo Clinic studies look at why worn-out 'zombie' cells keep fueling inflammation as we age. They also test ways to target them, including a compound found in tomatoes, so far in older mice.
João Passos7 sources · 5 min