Research
Biology of Aging - Phenotyping Technologies - Anti-Aging Interventions
Biology of Aging
Despite aging being a near universal biological experience, the underlying cause of aging is not fully understood. We use Caenorhabditis elegans and related nematodes to characterize the aging process in depth from the organismal phenotypic scale, down to the molecular networks at a cellular level. Additionally, we seek to find central players in the aging process to both understand the biology of aging, as well as to identify potential anti-aging targets.
Changes in cellular electrophysiology with age
Phenotyping Technology
Aging is an inherently variable phenotype, with genetically identical individuals grown in the same environment potentially exhibiting very different health trajectories and lifespans. This variability in aging necessitates the use of higher throughput assays that provide more informational depth on the individual level. We use traditional C. elegans molecular biology techniques, coupled with modern genetic engineering and microfluidics to follow the aging process. For examples, see our microfluidics page.
Microfluidic analysis of oxidative stress resistance (image modified from PMCID: PMC6493750)
Anti-aging interventions
The Caenorhabditis Intervention Testing Program (CITP), is an NIA funded research consortium of three labs: The Phillips Lab (University of Oregon), the Driscoll Lab (Rutgers University), and the Lithgow Lab (The Buck Institute for Research on Aging). The CITP tests compounds for lifespan and healthspan effects across a genetic diversity panel of Caenorhabditis nematode strains. The core premise of the CITP is that interventions that are effective across a broad range of genetic backgrounds are likely to be modulating a conserved aging process, and therefore more likely to successfully inhibit aging in humans. The CITP takes community suggestions for compounds to test for lifespan and healthspan extension using their Caenorhabditis genetic diversity panel of nematodes, and strict SOPs.
Observed longevity effects under treatment with NP1 using traditional manual assays and the C. elegans Lifespan Machine (image modified from PMCID: PMC6925072)