Dr Jose Romero

Supervisor Details

Contact Details

Department of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham

Scientific Background

Research Interests

Jose’s research focuses on how mitochondrial dysfunction drives aging and chronic disease, and how restoring mitochondrial health could lead to new therapies.

Mitochondria are the cell’s powerhouses, and their dysfunction disrupts bioenergetics while producing harmful by-products that can compromise tissue function. In healthy cells, mitochondrial quality control mechanisms—including mitophagy, biogenesis, and fusion/fission dynamics—ensure that faulty mitochondria are efficiently replaced. Jose investigates how these systems fail in aging and disease, using human-derived samples and relevant disease models. His ultimate goal is to translate these insights into innovative interventions that rejuvenate cells, protect tissues, and extend healthspan.

Supervision Style

In three words or phrases: supportive, understanding, goal-driven and guiding.

Provision of Training

I prefer to take responsibility for your technical training at first, leading to more independence later.

Progression Monitoring and Management

I like to be kept up to date, and will expect to see evidence of method development/data generation results on a daily/weekly basis. I have high expectations and will push you to your full potential, but I am also here for advice and guidance to help you reach the goals.

Communication

The team has a WhatsApp group chat with which we regularly communicate during the week. Whilst I expect you to keep up with my/ team communications I will encourage you to manage your work/life balance.

Meetings

PhD Students can expect scheduled meetings with me at least once per week. These meetings will be face to face. I am usually contactable for an instant response 3 or 4 days per week.

Work Patterns

Work in my lab requires being present on site (be it in a laboratory or at a field site) during the core hours of 9am - 5pm (or a subset if working part time).

Notice Period for Feedback

I need at least 2 weeks' notice to provide feedback on written work of up to 5000 words.

MIBTP Project Details

Primary supervisor for:

Developing mitochondrial-targeted therapies for stem-cell rejuvenation

See the PhD Opportunities section to see if this project is currently open for applications via MIBTP.

Please Note: The main page lists projects via BBSRC Research Theme(s) quoted and then relevant Topic(s).

Developing mitochondrial-targeted therapies for stem-cell rejuvenation

Secondary Supervisor(s): Prof Fabian Spill

University of Registration: University of Birmingham

BBSRC Research Themes:

Integrated Understanding of Health (Ageing ,Regenerative Biology)

Project Outline

Reversing stem cell exhaustion holds considerable promise for extending functional, healthy lifespan in older adults. However, current interventions are constrained by an incomplete understanding of the mechanisms that drive age-related functional decline.

Although multiple stressors can accelerate cellular ageing, compelling evidence highlights the loss of mitochondrial homeostasis as a central factor. Mitochondrial quality control (MQC) mechanisms —including mitophagy, biogenesis, and fusion/fission dynamics— are essential for adapting cellular metabolism to physiological demands, and are critical for maintaining stem cell function throughout life. With age, however, MQC become dysregulated, leading to altered bioenergetics and stem cell dysfunction.

We have recently identified a metabolic, non-canonical mechanism of stem cell exhaustion that operates independently of classical aging processes. Importantly, this mechanism can be rewired through a novel class of MQC-targeting molecules (Mito-REVs), offering an innovative strategy to preserve stem cell function across different system throughout the lifespan.

In this PhD project, the student will harness the versatility of Mito-REVs to:

• Define the mechanism by which they reverse exhaustion across different stem cell sources

• Assess their efficacy in enhancing the regenerative potential of aged stem cells

• Establish mitochondrial topology as predictive marker of stem cell ageing and rejuvenation

The successful candidate will employ a broad range of advanced approaches, including mitophagy reporters, bioenergetic and metabolic assays, epigenetic clocks, transcriptomics, molecular biology, and computational modelling. This PhD programme offers an exceptional opportunity to join an experienced supervisory team with expertise in mitochondrial biology and applied mathematics, providing the candidate with a unique interdisciplinary skill set to advance ageing research and regenerative biology.