Our lab studies several different aspects of aging biology. We mainly use the powerful genetic model C. elegans as a discovery tool for new longevity genes and perform functional analyses to elucidate the mechanistic basis of their longevity functions.
Chromatin & transcriptional regulation in development and longevity
- How do changes in global chromatin landscape and specific gene expression impact the aging process and longevity?
- What are the key chromatin and gene regulation factors that modulate aging and longevity?
- How do mild stress early in life results in beneficial resilience later in life?
Fat metabolism, reproduction, and longevity
- How do organisms coordinate resources between reproduction and somatic maintenance?
- How do sterile mutants re-configure the excessive resources that normally are required for reproduction?
- What are the molecular players involved in this energetic reconfiguration?
- How do mild dysfunction of mitochondria impact physiology and longevity?
- What are the molecular players that mediate the signaling communication between mitochondria in different tissues?