Jose F. Moruno Manchon

Dr. Jose F. Moruno Manchon is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurology at UTHealth McGovern Medical School, where he was appointed in 2021. He leads the Moruno Lab within the BRAINS Research Laboratory, a multidisciplinary neuroscience research center with multiple specialized cores including Behavioral, Cell Culture, Histology, and Surgical Cores.

Dr. Moruno received his PhD in Biotechnology from the Polytechnic University of Valencia in Spain, followed by post-doctoral training in the Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy at UTHealth McGovern Medical School. His academic journey spans over 10 years of experience in autophagy research and more than 7 years of specific expertise in neurodegeneration.

Dr. Moruno's research focuses on two critical aspects of aged brain biology:

• The downregulation of autophagy (the brain's capacity to remove damaged organelles and toxic compounds from cells)
• The senescence (irreversible proliferative-arrest state) of cerebral vasculature endothelial cells

His work demonstrates that both reduced autophagy and the accumulation of senescent cells in the aged brain are strongly associated with brain dysfunction and dementia. By identifying key molecular targets involved in these mechanisms, Dr. Moruno aims to develop novel therapeutic approaches to prevent or mitigate age-related cognitive decline.

Dr. Moruno has published significant research in high-impact journals including eLife, Frontiers in Aging, and Cells. His publication record shows an evolving research trajectory from basic autophagy mechanisms to their specific roles in neurodegenerative conditions and cerebrovascular aging.

His scientific contributions include:

• Discovering connections between G-quadruplex structures and cellular aging in cerebral endothelial cells
• Identifying sex-specific differences in autophagic responses to stroke
• Revealing novel pathways of autophagy regulation in neurons
• Exploring therapeutic targets for Huntington's disease

As a relatively new faculty member (appointed in 2021), Dr. Moruno is establishing his independent research program with a clear focus on translational neuroscience. His work bridges fundamental molecular biology with clinically relevant questions about brain aging and dementia, positioning him at the forefront of age-related neurodegenerative disease research.