Biomedical Sciences ETDs

Publication Date

Summer 7-10-2024

Abstract

Aging is a phenomenon that brings aches, pains and a risk of developing diseases. Many researchers have discovered pathways that regulate aging by altering gene expression. Understanding genetic regulation of aging is key but identifying drugs that target aging will result in translatable treatments. Additionally, understanding how drugs are interacting with our cells allows us to create targeted therapies. I study two types of drugs. First, tRNA synthetase inhibitors are a class of drugs that inhibit charging of tRNAs. I identified a mechanism of lifespan extension by upregulation of the conserved transcription factor, Gcn4 / Atf-4. Second, I found that SNF1 and autophagy are required for berberine induced lifespan extension in yeast. These results show that anti-aging drugs can be studied in basic model organisms and that they can be used to identify the targets and mechanisms of drugs that could be used to treat human aging and age-related diseases.

Keywords

yeast, aging, worms, drugs, lifespan

Document Type

Dissertation

Language

English

Degree Name

Biomedical Sciences

Level of Degree

Doctoral

Department Name

Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program

First Committee Member (Chair)

William Curt Hines

Second Committee Member

Mark McCormick

Third Committee Member

Mary Ann Osley

Fourth Committee Member

Jing Pu

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