Life Extension of Drospohila by a Drug Treatment

Kyung-Tai Min, Ph.D. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health Contact Dr. Min

Aging is a common phenomenon shared by animals and plants, but our understanding of why and how we age remains limited. It would be of great biological interest and practical importance if we could gain insights into the molecular basis of aging, learn to delay the aging process, and maintain the vigor of youth.

Model organisms amenable to genetic and molecular techniques, such as the mouse, offer important advantages. However, much less laborious and expensive are Drosophila, which have short generation time and can be rapidly screened for mutations. My work is primarily being carried out using Drosophila melanogaster as a model system.

A goal of my research is to advance our understanding of the genetic and molecular mechanisms responsible for degenerative diseases and aging. Specifically my goals are to identify genes that are involved in pathologies and senescence. Finding key players in extension of lifespan will also contribute to the prevention of premature aging syndromes such as Werner’s syndrome, Down syndrome, and progeria or age-related diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease.