Damage and Repair
This module series explores the core biological mechanisms that drive aging and age-related disease. Topics include autophagy, the cellular recycling process essential for maintaining homeostasis, and how its decline contributes to cellular dysfunction with age. Learners will also examine proteostasis and macromolecular damage, including how cells maintain protein health and how disruptions are linked to disease. The modules review oxidative stress and the free radical theory of aging, along with key molecular pathways, antioxidant responses, and stress-response mechanisms. In addition, the concept of inflammaging is introduced, highlighting the differences between acute and chronic inflammation, the molecular pathways involved, and the relationship between chronic inflammation and immunosenescence. Together, these topics provide a foundational understanding of the biological processes that influence aging, longevity, and the development of age-related conditions.
Lecture 1: Autophagy
By the end of this lecture, learners will be able to:
- Define autophagy, a cellular recycling process critical for maintaining cellular homeostasis
- Discuss molecular links between autophagy and aging, including how autophagy declines with age, leading to cellular dysfunction
- Summarize paradigms that can boost autophagy and promote healthy aging
- Explain limitations in assays used to monitor autophagy, including in humans
Lecture 2: Proteostasis & Macromolecular Damage
By the end of this lecture, learners will be able to:
- Introduce concept of macromolecular damage to proteins, which can happen during aging
- Define the proteostasis (protein homeostasis) network, a set of molecular mechanisms the cell uses to maintain protein homeostasis, including repair and degradation
- Summarize diseases linked to proteostasis
Lecture 3: Oxidative Stress
By the end of this lecture, learners will be able to:
- Define oxidative stress
- Discuss the free radical theory of aging that provides a foundation for the research performed today
- Identify molecular pathways that lead to oxidative stress
- Discuss antioxidants and stress response mechanisms
Lecture 4: Inflammaging
By the end of this lecture, learners will be able to:
- Discuss acute versus chronic inflammation
- Define inflammaging and the research that led to the concept
- Identify the cell types and molecular pathways that underlie inflammaging
- Discuss how inflammaging is linked with immunosenescence
Malene Hansen, PhD
Professor & Chief Scientific Officer
Buck Institute
Malene Hansen, PhD is a Professor and Chief Scientific Officer at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging. She is a leading researcher in the biology of aging, with a background in studying the molecular mechanisms of aging using nematode models and cell culture systems. Dr. Hansen’s laboratory focuses on understanding how the cellular recycling process known as autophagy is linked to aging and longevity. Her work aims to uncover the biological mechanisms that drive aging and to identify pathways that may support healthier aging and improved lifespan.
Christina D. Camell
Assistant Professor
University of Minnesota
Christina D. Camell, PhD is an Assistant Professor in the Department of University of Minnesota Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics. Her research focuses on the biological mechanisms that link inflammation, metabolism, and aging. Dr. Camell’s work examines how immune cells function in non-lymphoid organs during aging and in the context of metabolic disease. Through her research, she aims to better understand how age-related changes in the immune system contribute to chronic disease and to identify new strategies to improve health and resilience in aging populations.
Key:
Complete
Next
Failed
Available
Locked