A key event in the genesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the deposition of senile plaques consisting largely of a peptide known as beta-amyloid (Abeta) that is derived from the amyloid precursor protein (APP). A proteolytic activity called gamma-secretase cleaves APP in the transmembrane domain and is required for Abeta generation. Aberrant gamma...
Senior and New Scholars Awards for University of California - Los Angeles
Dr. Ming Guo
University of California - Los Angeles
2003 New Initiative Scholar Award in Aging
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Dr. Jonathan Wanagat
University of California - Los Angeles
2010 new Scholar Award in aging
Age-related declines in muscle mass and strength contribute significantly to falls, frailty and losses of mobility and independence ñ events which concern many older Americans. Of the many factors which contribute to muscle aging, our work has focused on mutations of the mitochondrial genome and subsequent mitochondrial dysfunction. We employ a...
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Dr. Stephen G. Young
University of California - Los Angeles
2007 senior Scholar Award in aging
Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS) is a rare pediatric genetic disease associated with many features that resemble aging. This disease is caused by an abnormal version of prelamin A, the precursor to lamin A, which is a molecule that helps form the structural scaffolding for the cell nucleus. The abnormal prelamin A in HGPS, called...
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Dr. Catherine F. Clarke
University of California - Los Angeles
2001 senior Scholar Award in aging
The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is an excellent model for genetic studies of the aging process. Mutations in the clk-1 gene of C. elegans result in an extended life span, slowed development and sluggish behavior. Our studies of the clk-1 mutants suggest that the slowed rates of aging, development and behavior are due to a biochemical defect... |
Dr. Hui Sun
University of California - Los Angeles
2006 new Scholar Award in aging
The large increase in human life expectancy during the last century has been accompanied by a significant increase in the incidence of aging diseases such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD). AMD is now the leading cause of irreversible blindness in the elderly in Western societies. Recent human genetic studies have linked a polymorphism...
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Dr. David Walker
University of California - Los Angeles
2008 new Scholar Award in aging
The mechanisms that cause the deterioration of cellular functions during the aging process remain poorly understood. Alterations in mitochondrial energy metabolism may be particularly important because it affects a wide range of cellular processes, and any defect will have widespread consequences within the cell. Our lab is using the powerful...
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Dr. Steven G. Clarke
University of California - Los Angeles
2008 senior Scholar Award in aging
Aging is no less than war waged between chemistry and biochemistry. Chemical reactions result in widespread spontaneous damage to the biomolecules essential for life. However, biochemical reactions can limit or even reverse this damage. Understanding the ability of organisms to mount counterattacks to molecular damage has the promise of... |
Dr. Peter John Bradley
University of California - Los Angeles
2004 new Scholar Award in gid
Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite in the phylum Apicomplexa that causes severe central nervous system disorders of immunocompromised (AIDS/transplant/lymphoma) individuals and birth defects to congenitally infected neonates worldwide. In addition to being a globally important pathogen in its own right, ...
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Dr. Kent Hill
University of California - Los Angeles
2003 new Scholar Award in gid
African trypanosomes and related protozoan parasites are the source of morbidity and mortality in several million people worldwide. Cell motility is important for interaction of these parasites with their mammalian and insect hosts. However, the molecular mechanism of cell motility in these organisms has been largely unexplored. We will conduct a...
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Funded Institutions
The Ellison Medical Foundation fosters research by means of grants-in-aid on behalf of investigators to universities and laboratories within the United States. Institutions receiving awards must be tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organizations or U.S. colleges or universities.
The Ellison Medical Foundation