My lab’s main research interest is to understand the consequences of abnormal proteostasis stress responses, similar to those that occur as part of the normal aging process, in the context of a whole metazoan. Our long-term aim is to improve lifespan and healthspan by identifying and developing new ways to overcome age-related proteostasis collapse. To address these challenges, the research in my lab focuses on one of the three major proteostasis-sensitive compartments in the cell – the endoplasmic reticulum, and on its dedicated stress response – the ER unfolded protein response (UPR-ER).
My lab combines methodologies of molecular biology, cell biology and genetics to study ER homeostasis in C. elegans.
Our aims are:
• Deciphering the reasons for the dampening of the UPR-ER stress response with age
• Understanding what physiological processes depend on a functional UPR-ER
• Identifying ways to persevere/restore proteostasis in the old