The UMDF Mitochondrial Medicine for Scientists and Clinicians Mitochondrial Medicine 2025 conference provides an international stage for leaders in mitochondrial medicine and offers programs to inspire the next generation of researchers. Attendees will learn about the latest developments in the field of mitochondrial medicine, including industry advancements, potential treatments, therapies and cutting-edge research. The event also gives the scientific communities the unique experience of engaging with affected patients to better understand symptoms and work faster towards a cure. This year’s conference is being held in St. Louis, Missouri on June 18-21, 2025. https://www.umdfconference.org/

Jonathan Brestoff, MD, PhD, MPH, leads the Brestoff Lab and is Associate Professor of Pathology & Immunology, Director of the Initiative for Immunometabolism, and Medical Director in the BJH Clinical Flow Cytometry Lab at WashU Medicine in St. Louis.

We asked Jon to explain a bit about this his work and what is being organized from the scientific and medical community at UMDF 2025.

MitoWorld: Jon, how did you become involved with the UMDF Clinical & Scientific Program?

Brestoff: My lab has been working on trying to develop mitochondria transplantation as a new therapy for primary mitochondrial diseases, and this work has gotten me engaged with the UMDF. With the meeting being in St. Louis, they sought a local presence on the organizing committee. I’m very honored to help with this meeting and think it will be very exciting!

MitoWorld: What can researchers and clinicians expect from this year’s program? 

Brestoff: This conference includes an amazing lineup of speakers on diverse scientific topics on mitochondrial biology and clinical issues in mitochondrial medicine. Main scientific sessions include Inflammation and Metabolic Diseases, Mitochondria on the Move, Mechanisms of Clearing Damaged Mitochondria, and Multi-omics. Clinical sessions include the NAMDAC Registry Session, Mitochondrial Medicine Society Platform, and Clinical Trial Updates. On Saturday, there are 2 parallel Master Classes, one on emerging clinical topics chaired by Dr. Michio Hirano and one on scientific career development chaired by me.

MitoWorld: Is there any particular theme or emphasis this year? 

Brestoff: The main themes are around emerging scientific discoveries about mitochondria and clinical updates. One of the most exciting aspects of this meeting is that patients, families, clinicians, and scientists all come together for one conference. This creates a unique experience that, in my experience, has been incredibly motivating and inspiring.

MitoWorld: With your lab at Washington University in St. Louis, will you be discussing or your lab members presenting on your lab’s work?

Brestoff: Yes! While I am not speaking to yield time to other investigators, a couple exceptionally talented scientists from my group are presenting their work on mitochondria transfer and transplantation.

MitoWorld: What are your hopes in your work for the next year and what issues are on the forefront that may materialize over the next year? 

Brestoff: There are so many new and exciting discoveries about mitochondria — how they work, what they do, and how we can leverage their biology to develop new therapeutics. There is tremendous untapped potential in this field for many diseases, not just primary mitochondrial diseases but also others like obesity, heart disease, and even aging. I hope we can find ways to team up with each other, industry partners, and investors to make some of these new therapeutics a reality for patients who need them. For my own lab, we’re currently working to make mitochondria transplantation a future possibility for patients with primary mitochondrial diseases. I hope we can get there.