Seminar: Exploring the genetics of aging using a naturally short-lived vertebrate

The Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry in collaboration with the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology present a special seminar with Itamar Harel, Ph.D. from Stanford University. 

Lecture by Itamar Harel, Ph.D., The Brunet  Lab, Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine

Topic: "Exploring the genetics of aging using a naturally short-lived vertebrate"

Modeling vertebrate aging and age-related diseases is challenging because classical vertebrate model organisms have relatively long lifespans. The turquoise killifish is the shortest-lived vertebrate species bred in the lab, and we developed a complete genome-to-phenotype platform for this emerging model. Our platform includes an assembled genome, CRISPR–based mutants for many aging-related genes, and a disease model for human telomere syndrome. The telomere disease model allows us to better understand what separates healthy aging from pathology, and explore additional key players in this process - the role of immune system and protein aggregates.  Ultimately, the development of the turquoise killifish as a genetic model will allow us to explore why aging is such a potent driver of disease, and identify tissue-specific mechanisms of aging in an unparalleled speed.