Immunobiology of Aging and Longevity

Description of projects available to graduate students:
We are studying the biology of aging in the human immune system in the context of development across the life span.

Our goal is to unravel novel mechanisms of immune homeostasis in old age, rather than focusing on predictable age-related deficits.

Basic science and translational projects are designed to:
(a) examine molecular pathways linked to the ontogeny and function of senescent immune cells;
(b) examine global changes in lymphocyte repertoire diversity with chronologic age, and characterize novel immune effector pathways in childhood and in old age;
(c) examine novel mechanisms of cellular activation of aged NK and T cells;
(d) define immunologic basis of longevity; and
(e) examine the interplay between immune function, physical ability, and cognition in refining definitions of exceptional or successful aging.

Techniques graduate student will learn:
Human cell/tissue culture
Flow cytometry and optical morphology
DNA/RNA manipulation including gene expression and miRNA arrays
Age-targeted bioassays of immune function
Multiplex quantitative PCR
Multiplex humoral assays
Cell signaling assays
Protein biochemistry including mass spectrometry
Population genetics and molecular phylogeny
Biostatistical methods
Large cohort analysis integrating laboratory and clinical data sets