Jeffrey L. Dudycha, PhDBACK

Assistant Professor, University of South Carolina

The Genetic Basis for the Evolutionary Divergence of Aging

Much of aging research genetically modifies laboratory animals to investigate the mechanisms that underlie different aging rates. Dr. Dudycha proposes that we can also learn a great deal possibly about novel aging mechanisms by investigating the genes underlying natural variation in aging rate among a variety of species. His evolutionary studies may lead to the discovery of new genes involved in natural aging. These genes could then be the target of new kinds of medications to combat the ravages of aging in humans.