CELB40180 Cell Biology & Genetics of Ageing

Academic Year 2022/2023

Globally, the number of persons aged 80 or over is projected to triple by 2050, and to further increase to 909 million by 2100, nearly seven times its current value. Understanding the biology of ageing, ability to manage it and to eliminate the individual age-related diseases is therefore crucial to improve the quality of life of ageing population. The module provides an introduction to theories of ageing and reviews the genetic, cellular and molecular mechanisms controlling the ageing process. Pharmacological and genetic approaches used to identify, study and manipulate pathways contributing to cellular ageing will be discussed using the cutting-edge research in the field. Strategies for comparative ageing research and studies in non-model long-lived organisms, like naked mole rat and bats, will be explored. This course will also highlight the prospective lifespan-extending interventions in humans.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

Students will have a comprehensive understanding of molecular mechanisms and genetic pathways controlling the cellular ageing, as well as research approaches to study and manipulate this process. They will be equipped to critically assess the research in the field and to formulate and express their own opinion on the subject. They will have discussed the ongoing genetic research on ageing within the school.

Indicative Module Content:

- Intro, Relevance of Ageing Research and Life-extending strategies
- Plasticity of Ageing
- Theories of Ageing (Programmed and Damage-Based), including DevAge, free radical, mitochondrial, DNA damage/telomeric, stem cell/senescence, protein damage/autophagy, immuageing.
- GWAS on ageing
- Hot topics in ageing research

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

12
Autonomous Student Learning

113
Total

125
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
lectures and in-lecture debates, discussion of current research case studies, reading of recommended literature, group work 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Examination: End of Semester Exam (Online) 2 hour End of Trimester Exam Yes Graded No

80
Continuous Assessment: Science communication exercise. Varies over the Trimester n/a Graded No

20

Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Students will receive their continuous assessment grade via Brightspace and group feedback during the last lecture.

Name Role
Professor Emma Teeling Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Paola Valentini Lecturer / Co-Lecturer