Network of excellence researches the root cause of ageing
Bombarded with UV from outside and oxidative stress from inside the body, the genetic material in our cells experiences significant damage. As a result, there is a build-up of faulty code, a process that could be responsible for many age-related diseases. Knowledge of these molecular changes means that researchers can develop therapeutic strategies to delay or counteract ageing mechanisms, improving quality of life for the elderly. The project CODEAGE(opens in new window) (The role of chronic DNA damage in ageing and age-related pathology) brought together talented young researchers and experts from the field of DNA damage and ageing to create a research and training network. ‘To combat those age-related diseases, it is extraordinarily important to gain insights into mechanisms that drive the ageing process,’ says Prof. Bjoern Schumacher, project coordinator and head of research into DNA stability and ageing at the University of Cologne. A holistic view of the complexities of ageing The consequences of DNA damage are very wide-ranging and include cancer and cell death, responsible for degenerative changes. The outcome depends on which, when and how molecules change, where the mistakes are, as well as their frequency and size. CODEAGE has therefore replaced previous hypothesis-driven approaches to ageing. ‘The project has established the foundations for a systems biology approach to chronic DNA damage response in ageing,’ explains Prof. Schumacher. ‘The result is a drive towards integration of research from basic mechanisms to translational research and clinical application.’ The CODEAGE genetic model system repertoire included the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans and, going further up the evolutionary tree, the mouse and human cells. Using cutting-edge technologies, the multidisciplinary teams studied all levels, from the cell to the complete organism. Training for the future of delayed ageing technology At the heart of the development of increasingly expert, accelerated research is the training of young researchers. The CODEAGE Initial Training Network (ITN) recruited 14 early-stage researchers (ESRs) for contracts in European universities and the private sector involved in DNA and ageing. Within the CODEAGE career development plan, each fellow had a two- to three-member advisory committee, and partners exchanged information on PhD supervision as well as defined good practice. Additionally, as Prof. Schumacher points out, ‘The ESRs also greatly benefited from the set of transferable skills courses on publishing with the largest European scientific publishing house and clinical trials at one of the largest German teaching hospitals.’ Optimised collaboration, knowledge exchange and dissemination The comprehensive project website features a blog-style page where ESRs could present their research profiles, secondment reports as well as any cultural experiences. ‘Importantly, the ESRs used the website as well as the CODEAGE Facebook page(opens in new window) for a vivid exchange that transformed the network training into a class of graduate students across Member States.’ CODEAGE collaborated with another ITN, ADDRESS, to hold two workshops, an open day and the final ITN conference, where ESRs were given the opportunity to present their work to the network. ‘From the beginning, we formed a strong synergy with the ADDRESS ITN that formed a European “Super-Training-Network”,’ Prof. Schumacher emphasises. Looking to the future, Prof. Schumacher points out that many of the collaborations and workshops ignited during the project are continuing and that the innovative character of the network will have a lasting effect on doctoral training. ‘Our network brought together principal investigators that are at the cutting-edge of research on ageing and genome stability across Europe.’
