Defining drivers and consequences of ribosome biogenesis deregulation during mammalian aging
Dr. Buchwalter research focuses on how intracellular organization is established and specialized across types of cells to enable unique functions. Aging is a fundamental process that erodes this exquisite organization. Her interest in aging research is sparked by questions like: do all cells age in the same way, or in unique ways? Are there particular subcellular structures that are especially vulnerable to the assaults of aging? Why might that be? How do these unique or shared cellular changes affect the function of aging organs?
Her AFAR-supported research will specifically look at ribosomes, which are molecular machines that perform the essential function of synthesizing proteins. Her lab recently found evidence that the production of ribosomes becomes dysfunctional during the aging process and they are trying to understand the proximal causes and downstream consequences of deregulated ribosome biogenesis during mammalian aging.
