Research in the Disease of Aging

The debilitating effect of aging on brain function and the increased risk for malignant diseases are among the more profound consequences of increased human life span, a phenomenon posing a formidable burden on society as the numbers of elderly continue to rise. Brain aging is the biggest risk factor for neurodegenerative disorders, the worst being the late onset forms of Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. However, the molecular changes that occur in nerve cells during aging, a relatively 'normal' physiological condition, that trigger severe brain pathology, a hallmark of neurodegeneration, remain poorly understood. Scientists at KCUMB are working tirelessly to delineate the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the several-fold increased susceptibility of the aging brain to neurodegeneration.

Our basic science researchers have employed a multidimensional approach to address this important scientific question. KCUMB's focus of research is on a diverse array of topics ranging from protein misfolding to disruption of calcium homeostasis in aged neurons, from age-related changes in the protein composition of synaptic terminals and lipid raft microdomains to the effects of oxidative stress on nerve cell function. KCUMB scientists are also working to understand the mechanisms that control cell growth, cell death, gene expression, and in the case of malignant cells, the likelihood of metastasis.

Our scientists are examining signaling transduction pathways linking cell survival and cell death and its implications in cancer and degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. State-of- the-art techniques including but not limited to cell culture, molecular and cell biology, biochemistry, isolation of synaptic membranes, protein purification, fluorescence spectroscopy, confocal microscopy, and proteomics are utilized in these research efforts. Our goal is to combine our resources, strengths and expertise to establish a center of excellence for research on biological aging and the diseases associated with aging.

Edith Y. Chang, Ph.D.

Title: Assistant Professor
Department: Biochemistry

Interests: Role of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) in tumor cell invasion and metastasis, role of COX-2 in epithelial cell shape and motility, role of COX-2 in small GTPase RhoA signaling, role of COX-2 in actin cytoskeleton.

Rolf Jakobi, Ph.D.

Title: Associate Professor
Department: Biochemistry

Interests: Protein phosphorylation and signal transduction; control of cell survival and programmed cell death; role of p21-activated protein kinases (PAK) in cell survival and cell death; role of p21-activated protein kinases (PAK) in cancer and degenerative diseases.
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Norbert W. Seidler, Ph.D.

Title: Professor and Chair
Department: Biochemistry

Interests: Developing a greater understanding of the biophysical structure of glycated proteins to provide mechanisms for the glycation-induced decline in biological function of proteins; examine endogenous and synthetic antiglycation compounds for potential therapeutic agents; investigate mechanisms for thermal-, chemical- and glycation-induced protein misfolding and aggregation to develop experimental models for misfolding disease (i.e. many neurodegenerative diseases)

Asma Zaidi, Ph.D.

Title: Associate Professor
Department: Biochemistry

Interests: brain aging and neurodegeneration, lipid rafts and the effect of oxidative stress on neuronal calcium signaling

Richard R. Suminski, Ph.D., M.P.H., FACSM

Title: Associate Professor of Physiology
Department: Physiology

Interests:

Physical activity promotion in community settings; effects of the environment on physical activity and obesity; physical activity measurement
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