T32 Feature: Training Grant on the Biology of Aging
Training Grant on the Biology of Aging
Principle Investigator: Dr. Adam Salmon
Funding Source: National Institute on Aging
The aging population is rapidly growing and is expected to almost double and to comprise more than 20 percent of the U.S. population by the year 2050. Therefore, there is an urgent need to delineate the biology of aging processes to accelerate the development of strategies that will improve the health of our citizens as they age. The achievement of this goal requires the formation of a strong body of motivated young researchers with outstanding training in aging research from biology to translation.
2024-2025 Predoctoral Trainees
Claira Sohn
Mentor: Dr. Bess Frost
Program: IBMS Biology of Aging
Research Topic: In the lab of Dr. Bess Frost, we focus on understanding Alzheimer’s disease pathogenesis through the lens of pathological tau. My project focuses on understanding how pathological tau disrupts the ability for the nucleus to undergo mechanotransduction, which is how the cell/organelle responds and adapts to mechanical stimuli. Through this work, I have observed that pathological tau drives a decrease of tension on the neuronal nuclei and that The Linker of Nucleoskeleton to Cytoskeleton (LINC) Complex is disrupted. With these initial findings, I am now working towards elucidating a mechanism by which pathological tau disrupts nuclear mechanotransduction.
Erik Marchant
Mentor: Dr. Blake Rasmussen
Program: IBMS Biology of Aging
Research Topic: My research is currently focused on understanding the mechanisms underlying the development of skeletal muscle insulin resistance and to develop therapeutic strategies to improve skeletal muscle health. Specifically, I have investigated the potential for low frequency ultrasound to be used as a skeletal muscle therapy for diet-induced insulin resistance and diabetes. I am also investigating the role of mTORC1 signaling in skeletal muscle to determine if hyperactivity of this pathway results in insulin resistance.
2024-2025 Postdoctoral Trainees
Joseph Schell, Ph.D.
Mentor: Dr. David Gius
Research Topic: In our lab, we are interested in the role of sirtuins, a class of proteins that are involved in various aspects of metabolism, in the process of cellular senescence and aging. Our aim is to further our understanding of the mechanisms of aging so that we can develop therapeutic strategies to promote healthier aging and longevity. My research is currently focused on the major mitochondrial sirtuin family member, Sirt3, which acts on downstream target proteins via acetylation. As one example, when the acetylation of the metabolism-related protein Acss1 is dysregulated, I found that mice develop several characteristic symptoms of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. More recently, I found that dysregulated acetylation of Sod2, a mitochondrial antioxidant enzyme, can lead to hypertrophy of cardiac tissue. We are currently investigating whether diet or other medical interventions can be employed to balance acetylation and thereby prevent these outcomes.
Kevin Thyne, Ph.D.
Mentor Name: Dr. Adam Salmon and Dr. Jim Lechleiter
Research Topic: Building off of his PhD project, Dr. Thyne is continuing to work on understanding the mechanisms by which methionine restriction exerts benefits on longevity. His focus is on testing the idea that regulation of autophagy is a critical step in the functional outcomes of methionine restriction. He is currently developing two approaches to test this idea. The first, a cell based approach, allows him to model the kinetics of autophagy in response to methionine restriction and restriction of other amino acids in the cell culture media. By analyzing in real time, he is able to determine the potential cellular mediators of this process. In the second, he is working with his co-mentor to address the outcomes of methionine restriction in vivo using an autophagy reporter mouse. This approach will allow him to identify, longitudinally, the temporal patterns of autophagy in vivo and in response to effectors. He intends to also test whether autophagy is required for the longevity benefits of methionine restriction in mice.