Ageing

Recommended Prerequisites

Cell biology, molecular biology, and human physiology.

Teaching Methods

Lectures are largely based on research data, and the students are challenged to analyse the data, to draw conclusions, to identify key concepts and to integrate information.

"The Future of Aging" is addressed by students in oral presentations organized in the format of a meeting, with symposia dedicated to the main topics. The students submit the abstracts of their talks and prepare an abstract book, which is made available at Inforestud@nte.

Learning Outcomes

The course aims to provide the students with the current understanding of the molecular changes in cells and tissues during ageing, and how they affect organ function and lead to age-related diseases.

The knowledge on the mechanisms of ageing will enable the students to critically assess the theories of ageing, and the therapies and behavioural strategies proposed to delay ageing and age-related diseases.

The students get acquainted with the tools, models and open questions in aging research

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

How we age

• Aging of connective tissues: effects on the respiratory and vascular systems; chronological aging and photoaging of the skin.

• Sarcopenia and changes in fibre type and function

• Osteoporosis

• Immunosenescence

• Age-associated obesity

• Brain aging and cognitive aging.

 

Why we age

• Cellular senescence

• Telomere erosion

• Mitochondria role in aging

• Oxidative stress and aging

• DNA damage and repair systems

• Stem cells aging

• Trade-offs of aging: reproduction and aging, cancer protection and aging

• Progerias

 

The future of aging: critical assessment of the strategies proposed to delay aging and age-related diseases:

• Vitamin and nutritional supplements: mechanisms of action and efficacy

• Hormonal replacement therapies

• How physical exercise helps to delay aging and age-related diseases

• How calorie restriction helps to delay aging and age-related diseases

• Stem cells and tissue repair

Head Lecturer(s)

Emília da Conceição Pedrosa Duarte

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Participation in classes and discussion of talks presented by other students: 10.0%
Synthesis work: 20.0%
Exam: 70.0%

Bibliography

Arking R., Biology of Aging: Observations and Principles (3rd Ed), Oxford University Press, 2006.

Masoro E. J. and Austad S. N. (Eds), Handbook of the Biology of Aging (6th Ed), Academic Press, 2006

Masoro E. J. and Austad S. N. (Eds), Handbook of the Biology of Aging (7th Ed), Academic Press, 2010

 

Review and research articles (made available at Inforestud@ante)