Grelet honored by international society for ‘groundbreaking’ work in mitochondrial biology
In his presentation, “Nerve-to-Cancer Mitochondrial Transfer: A Key Driver of Metastasis,” Grelet revealed a transformative mechanism by which neurons transfer their mitochondria to cancer cells, fueling their metabolic flexibility and metastatic potential.
By Carol McPhail
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Cancer researcher Simon Grelet, Ph.D., has been honored by the World Mitochondria Society for achieving the year’s most significant scientific advance in the field of mitochondrial biology.
Grelet, an assistant professor of biochemistry and molecular biology at the Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine at the University of South Alabama, was awarded the Best Scientific Contribution Award 2025 for his research on nerve-to-cancer mitochondria transfer. He presented his work and served as a session co-chair at the society’s conference Oct. 22-24 in Berlin.
In announcing the award, the society called Grelet’s presentation “groundbreaking.”
“This award celebrates not only scientific excellence but also the spirit of dynamic mitochondrial medicine connecting metabolism, communication, and therapy,” the society said in its announcement. “Dr. Simon Grelet’s discovery redefines how we understand mitochondria not as static powerhouses, but as mobile organelles shaping cancer evolution and system health.”
In his presentation, “Nerve-to-Cancer Mitochondrial Transfer: A Key Driver of Metastasis,” Grelet revealed a transformative mechanism by which neurons transfer their mitochondria to cancer cells, fueling their metabolic flexibility and metastatic potential. His team utilized advanced in vivo and in vitro models and the MitoTRACER genetic system they have designed to trace the fate of cancer cells that acquired neuronal mitochondria, discovering that these cells are more likely to succeed in forming distant metastasis. The findings were published earlier this year in the scientific journal Nature.
“This work uncovers a new and profound biological dialogue between the nervous system and cancer,” the society said.
Grelet, whose research has attracted global attention, is a recipient of the National Institutes of Health/National Cancer Institute MERIT Award and the recent recipient of the 2025 Mayer Mitchell Award for Excellence in Cancer Research at the USA Health Mitchell Cancer Institute. Grelet is also lead inventor on a U.S. patent application describing methods to track mitochondria transfer between cells.
“This award is a fitting recognition of Dr. Grelet’s exceptional achievements and clear affirmation of the international impact of his research,” said Christopher Davies, Ph.D., associate dean for research at the Whiddon College of Medicine. “With his group’s recent Nature publication, his NIH MERIT award and the Mayer Mitchell Award, it’s been a remarkable year for Dr. Grelet – and one that sets the stage for even greater discoveries ahead.”
