Objetivo Ageing is the gradual and irreversible breakdown of living systems associated with the advancement of time, which leads to an increase in vulnerability and eventual mortality. Despite recent advances in ageing research, the intrinsic complexity of the ageing process has prevented a full understanding of this process, therefore, ageing remains a grand challenge in contemporary biology. In AGELESS, we will tackle this challenge by uncovering the molecular mechanisms of halted ageing in a unique model system, the bats. Bats are the longest-lived mammals relative to their body size, and defy the ‘rate-of-living’ theories as they use twice as much the energy as other species of considerable size, but live far longer. This suggests that bats have some underlying mechanisms that may explain their exceptional longevity. In AGELESS, we will identify the molecular mechanisms that enable mammals to achieve extraordinary longevity, using state-of-the-art comparative genomic methodologies focused on bats. We will identify, using population transcriptomics and telomere/mtDNA genomics, the molecular changes that occur in an ageing wild population of bats to uncover how bats ‘age’ so slowly compared with other mammals. In silico whole genome analyses, field based ageing transcriptomic data, mtDNA and telomeric studies will be integrated and analysed using a networks approach, to ascertain how these systems interact to halt ageing. For the first time, we will be able to utilize the diversity seen within nature to identify key molecular targets and regions that regulate and control ageing in mammals. AGELESS will provide a deeper understanding of the causal mechanisms of ageing, potentially uncovering the crucial molecular pathways that can be modified to halt, alleviate and perhaps even reverse this process in man. Ámbito científico social sciencessociologydemographymortalitynatural sciencesbiological scienceszoologymammalogynatural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsgenomes Programa(s) FP7-IDEAS-ERC - Specific programme: "Ideas" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Tema(s) ERC-SG-LS2 - ERC Starting Grant - Genetics,Genomics,Bioinformatics and Systems Biology Convocatoria de propuestas ERC-2012-StG_20111109 Consulte otros proyectos de esta convocatoria Régimen de financiación ERC-SG - ERC Starting Grant Institución de acogida UNIVERSITY COLLEGE DUBLIN, NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF IRELAND, DUBLIN Aportación de la UE € 1 499 768,30 Dirección BELFIELD 4 Dublin Irlanda Ver en el mapa Región Ireland Eastern and Midland Dublin Tipo de actividad Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Investigador principal Emma Teeling (Dr.) Contacto administrativo Donal Doolan (Mr.) Enlaces Contactar con la organización Opens in new window Sitio web Opens in new window Coste total Sin datos Beneficiarios (1) Ordenar alfabéticamente Ordenar por aportación de la UE Ampliar todo Contraer todo UNIVERSITY COLLEGE DUBLIN, NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF IRELAND, DUBLIN Irlanda Aportación de la UE € 1 499 768,30 Dirección BELFIELD 4 Dublin Ver en el mapa Región Ireland Eastern and Midland Dublin Tipo de actividad Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Investigador principal Emma Teeling (Dr.) Contacto administrativo Donal Doolan (Mr.) Enlaces Contactar con la organización Opens in new window Sitio web Opens in new window Coste total Sin datos