Professor at CABD (Andalusian Centre for Developmental Biology) and CIBERER (Biomedical Research Network Center for Rare Diseases), Spain
Dr. Daniel José Moreno Fernández-Ayala is a distinguished professor and researcher in Cell Biology at the Universidad Pablo de Olavide in Seville, Spain. With over two decades of dedication to biomedical science, he has become a key figure in mitochondrial disease research. His work spans cellular physiology, bioenergetics, and genetic pathology, especially focusing on Coenzyme Q10 deficiencies and related disorders. Daniel is not only an active contributor to cutting-edge research but also a committed educator and mentor, having supervised numerous theses and academic projects. As a member of notable research networks such as BIO177 and CIBERER, he bridges experimental science with clinical relevance. With 45 peer-reviewed publications, an h-index of 22, and several recognized patents, he stands as a beacon of scientific excellence. His contributions extend beyond the lab, into conferences and collaborative projects that shape the future of biomedical science.
Professional Profile
Scopus
ORCID
Education
Dr. Moreno Fernández-Ayala earned his Ph.D. in Experimental Biology from Universidad Pablo de Olavide in 2003. His academic journey showcases a lifelong commitment to science and higher education. Alongside his doctoral studies, he pursued specialized certifications to enhance his teaching and research capabilities, including a Diploma in Teaching Innovation in Higher Education (2013), certification in Laboratory Animal Handling for Euthanasia and Procedures (2015), and Project Design in Animal Research (2020). These qualifications highlight his multifaceted approach to science—combining theoretical knowledge, hands-on expertise, and pedagogy. His educational pathway has deeply informed his interdisciplinary research, especially in mitochondrial diseases, bioenergetics, and transcriptomics. With a foundation firmly rooted in biology and continued professional development, Dr. Moreno is well-prepared to address complex biological questions and mentor the next generation of researchers.
Professional Experience
With over 20 years in academia, Dr. Moreno Fernández-Ayala has served as a Professor of Cell Biology at Universidad Pablo de Olavide since 2019. He is a core member of the BIO177 Research Group under the Junta de Andalucía and a collaborator with the U-729 team of CIBERER (ISCIII), focusing on rare diseases. His lab activities are diverse and cutting-edge, including transcriptomic and epigenetic studies, biochemical and histological analyses, and functional characterization in model organisms such as Drosophila and mice. He has led various student projects, including undergraduate theses and master’s dissertations, and supervised a doctoral thesis in 2022. His teaching record includes 3 quinquenios and his research has earned him 4 sexenios—clear indicators of excellence and sustained impact. Daniel’s dual focus on research and education places him at the intersection of discovery and mentorship.
Research Focus
Dr. Daniel Moreno Fernández-Ayala’s research is primarily centered on mitochondrial dysfunction, with a special focus on Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) deficiencies and their pathological effects. His studies involve the use of primary fibroblast cultures from patients and model organisms like mice and fruit flies to better understand bioenergetic imbalances. He conducts functional characterizations, epigenetic profiling, and histological investigations to dissect the mechanisms of rare mitochondrial diseases. By integrating molecular diagnostics, biochemical assays, and transcriptomic technologies, his research bridges the gap between cellular mechanisms and clinical therapies. His ongoing projects and collaborations aim to discover targeted interventions that can alleviate symptoms of mitochondrial disease, especially in pediatric and neurodegenerative contexts. With implications in both fundamental biology and medical science, his research is not just innovative, but also deeply humane in its aspirations.
Award and Honors
Dr. Moreno Fernández-Ayala’s academic excellence has been recognized through multiple distinctions in both teaching and research. He holds 3 Quinquenios (5-year teaching excellence recognitions), 4 Sexenios (6-year research periods), 6 Trienios (3-year service milestones), and 5 Autonomous Complements for professional achievements in Andalusia. These accolades reflect not only his productivity but also his influence on Spain’s academic and research ecosystems. His work has garnered over 1,767 citations, and he has published 17 articles in Q1 journals, underlining the high quality of his scientific contributions. Though not yet commercially developed, he holds 3 patents, demonstrating his innovation and application-driven research approach. These achievements affirm his role as a pioneering figure in experimental biology and a valuable candidate for Zoology Honour Awards.
Skills
Dr. Moreno Fernández-Ayala possesses a rich repertoire of scientific and academic skills. His core strengths include cell culture, molecular biology, bioenergetics, epigenetics, and functional genomics. He is adept in handling animal models (Mus musculus, Drosophila melanogaster) and patient-derived cell lines, making him proficient in both in vivo and in vitro systems. Technically, he excels at biochemical and histological analysis, respirometric assays, and high-throughput sequencing interpretation. Additionally, he is a skilled project designer and has formal training in animal handling and euthanasia protocols. As an educator, he is known for mentorship, curriculum development, and interdisciplinary training. His organizational and collaborative skills shine through in his involvement with high-impact projects and his ability to bridge lab research with translational science. Fluent in scientific communication, he is a frequent presenter at conferences and symposia, sharing insights that inspire both peers and students alike.
Conclusion
Dr. Daniel José Moreno Fernández-Ayala is a highly qualified researcher with a solid foundation in biomedical and cellular biology, particularly as applied to animal models. His expertise positions him as an outstanding candidate for a Zoology Honour Award, especially in categories related to molecular and comparative physiology, zoological genomics, or functional animal biology. His research on mitochondrial dysfunction and bioenergetics contributes significantly to our understanding of physiological processes in animals, offering insights that bridge cellular function and whole-organism biology. To further align with the classical scope of zoological awards, future directions might include extending his research to non-model species, exploring applications in wildlife conservation, or contributing to ecological physiology. Nonetheless, Dr. Moreno Fernández-Ayala’s current work stands out as scientifically impactful and highly relevant in today’s interdisciplinary landscape, where molecular tools increasingly illuminate complex questions in zoology.
Publications Top Notes
📄 Modelling the human coenzyme Q deficiency in Drosophila melanogaster — Free Radical Biology and Medicine, 2025
🔗 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2024.12.0564r
📄 Prenatal and progressive coenzyme Q10 administration to mitigate muscle dysfunction in mitochondrial disease — Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle, 2024
🔗 DOI: 10.1002/jcsm.13574
📄 New variants expand the neurological phenotype of COQ7 deficiency — Journal of Inherited Metabolic Disease, 2024
🔗 DOI: 10.1002/jimd.12776
📄 Calorie Restriction Rescues Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Adck2-Deficient Skeletal Muscle — Frontiers in Physiology, 2022
🔗 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.898792
📄 Isolation of Mitochondria from Mouse Skeletal Muscle for Respirometric Assays — Journal of Visualized Experiments, 2022
🔗 DOI: 10.3791/63336
📄 Coenzyme Q at the Hinge of Health and Metabolic Diseases — Antioxidants, 2021
🔗 DOI: 10.3390/antiox10111785
📄 Secondary CoQ10 deficiency, bioenergetics unbalance in disease and aging — BioFactors, 2021
🔗 DOI: 10.1002/biof.1733
📄 Age-related mitochondrial dysfunction as a key factor in COVID-19 disease — Experimental Gerontology, 2020
🔗 DOI: 10.1016/j.exger.2020.111147
📄 ADCK2 Haploinsufficiency Reduces Mitochondrial Lipid Oxidation and Causes Myopathy Associated with CoQ Deficiency — Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2019
🔗 DOI: 10.3390/jcm8091374
📄 Essential Physiological Differences Characterize Short- and Long-Lived Strains of Drosophila melanogaster — Journals of Gerontology: Series A, 2019
🔗 DOI: 10.1093/gerona/gly143
📄 Mitochondrial dysfunction in metabolism and ageing: shared mechanisms and outcomes? — Biogerontology, 2018
🔗 DOI: 10.1007/s10522-018-9768-2
📄 The mitochondrial phosphatase PPTC7 orchestrates mitochondrial metabolism regulating coenzyme Q10 biosynthesis — BBA – Bioenergetics, 2018
🔗 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbabio.2018.09.369
📄 Biochemical Assessment of Coenzyme Q10 Deficiency — Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2017
🔗 DOI: 10.3390/jcm6030027
📄 Genetic Rescue of Mitochondrial and Skeletal Muscle Impairment in an iPSC Model of Coenzyme Q10 Deficiency — Stem Cells, 2017
🔗 DOI: 10.1002/stem.2634
📄 Role of Mitochondrial Reverse Electron Transport in ROS Signaling: Potential Roles in Health and Disease — Frontiers in Physiology, 2017
🔗 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2017.00428
📄 Mitochondrial ROS Produced via Reverse Electron Transport Extend Animal Lifespan — Cell Metabolism, 2016
🔗 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2016.03.009
📄 Expression of the Ciona intestinalis alternative oxidase (AOX) in Drosophila complements defects in mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation — Cell Metabolism, 2009
🔗 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2009.03.004
📄 Coenzyme Q distribution in HL-60 human cells depends on the endomembrane system — BBA – Biomembranes, 2005
🔗 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2005.05.010
📄 Specificity of coenzyme Q10 for respiratory chain function and ubiquinone biosynthesis in human cells — BBA – Bioenergetics, 2005
🔗 DOI: (missing — not provided, assumed reference)