Deciphering Stress Response in Healthy Aging
Explore how stress granule dynamics change with age and affect organismal aging using C. elegans. Investigate molecular and physiological aging markers and stress recovery to understand mechanisms promoting healthy aging.
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Project Description
Project Overview
This project studies the role of stress granules (SGs) in cellular stress response during aging. SGs are protective aggregates formed under stress that help cells survive stressors like heat and oxidative damage. Aging weakens stress responses and may disrupt normal SG function, which this research aims to clarify. Using the short-lived nematode C. elegans, the study will analyze age-dependent changes in SG composition, SG gene function impact on aging, and SG dynamics in stress recovery.
What You Will Do
- Purify SGs from young and old worms under oxidative and heat stress; analyze by mass spectrometry and RNA-seq; assess protein changes by SDS-PAGE and Western blotting.
- Measure lifespan, fecundity, locomotion, and aging markers in wild-type and SG gene mutants to evaluate effects of impaired SG function.
- Monitor SG dynamics in young and aged worms to assess stress recovery and changes in SG behavior with age.
Expected Outcomes
This research will reveal physiological and molecular changes in stress granule composition and function during aging. It will identify potential SG targets for enhancing stress adaptation and promoting healthy lifespan extension.
Why This Matters
Understanding how SG dynamics influence aging could illuminate novel pathways to mitigate age-related decline in cellular stress resilience, thereby supporting healthier aging processes and potentially extending lifespan.
Entry Requirements
How to Apply
Eligibility
Supervisor Profile
Dr Zita Balklava researches cellular stress responses focusing on stress granule dynamics and aging. Her work combines molecular biology and advanced microscopy to understand proteostasis and stress adaptation, especially using C. elegans as a model. She is recognized for investigating mechanisms by which cellular stress affects aging and lifespan.