Comparative and Experimental Approaches to Aging Biology Research is a 2-week intensive research training course using comparative models and approaches to explore biological aging, designed for senior graduate students, postdocs, and new investigators.. Models include C. elegans, Drosophila, mice, and African turquoise killifish (Nothobranchius furzeri).
The course emphasizes the advantages of each model system for addressing mechanisms relevant to the biology of human aging. Participants engage in hypothesis-driven research utilizing experimental methods including CRISPR, mRNA translation profiling, microinjection (worms and fish), quantitative fluorescence microscopy (QFM), and health/survival assays.
Participants get access and training in the use of the statistical programming language R and other software necessary for analysis of big data used in conjunction with modern experimentation [e.g., transcriptomics, translatomics, Quantitative Trait Locus (QTL), and Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS)].
Course programming includes expert guest lecturers with opportunities for professional development and networking within the aging research community. Students will also have the opportunity to present their own research and get critical feedback from experts in the field.
MDI Biological Laboratory is located on Mount Desert Island near Acadia National Park and the popular vacation destination of Bar Harbor, Maine.
Course Directors
- Ron Korstanje, Ph.D.Assistant ProfessorThe Jackson Laboratory
- Aric Rogers, Ph.D.Associate ProfessorMDI Biological Laboratory
Course Faculty and Invited Speakers
- Cheryl Ackert-Bicknell, Ph.D.Associate ProfessorUniversity of Rochester Medical Center
- Sam Beck, Ph.D.Assistant Professor of Computational BiologyMDI Biological Laboratory
- Rochelle (Shelley) Buffenstein, Ph.D.Senior Principal InvestigatorCalico
- Kristopher Burkewitz, Ph.D.Postdoctoral ResearcherHarvard University
- Judith Campisi, Ph.D.ProfesorThe Buck Institute for Research on Aging
- Heinrich Jasper, Ph.D.ProfessorBuck Institute
- Catherine Kaczarowski, Ph.D.Assistant ProfessorThe Jackson Laboratory
- Matt Kaeberlein, Ph.D.ProfessorUniversity of Washington
- Jason Karpac, Ph.D.Assistant ProfessorTexas A & M Medicine Center
- Dudley LammingAssistant ProfessorUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison
- Dana Miller, Ph.D.Assistant ProfessorUniversity of Washington
- Coleen Murphy, Ph.D.ProfessorPrinceton University
- Jarod Rollins, Ph.D.Assistant ProfessorMDI Biological Laboratory
- Robert Shmookler-Reis, Ph.D.ProfessorUniversity of Arkansas
- David Sinclair, Ph.D.Professor of GeneticsHarvard Medical School
- Candice Smith, Ph.D.Postdoctorate FellowUniversity of Michigan Medical School
- George Sutphin, Ph.D.Assistant ProfessorUniversity of Arizona
- Yuka Takemon, B.A.Research Assistant, Korstanje LabThe Jackson Laboratory
- Duygu Ucar, Ph.D.Assistant ProfessorThe Jackson Laboratory
- Dario Valenzano, Ph.D.Research Group LeaderMax Planck Institute, Biology of Aging
As a result of this course, participants will:
Course Goals |
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Experimental Design and Techniques |
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Research Skills Training |
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Scientific Software and Data Analysis |
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Lectures and Literature |
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Students and faculty arrive Saturday, July 28 starting at 5pm.
Students and faculty depart on Saturday, August 11 by 9am.
On-Campus Housing
Cottage-style accommodations are assigned double occupancy. Cottage accommodations have shared bathrooms, equipped kitchens, common rooms, high speed wireless internet, and parking. Cottages may be ocean-view, pond-view, or meadow-view.
A few dormitory-style accommodations may be available, double occupancy with shared bathrooms.
A very limited number of single occupancy rooms may be available for an additional charge.
Our on-campus housing is within walking distance of all campus facilities (Note: campus grounds include wooded terrain).