Summary

Aging and sleep are fundamental biological processes that are highly conserved across species. Disruptions or deficiencies in these processes have been linked to a wide range of diseases, including obesity, diabetes, and cancer. Investigating the w88 online live casino of sleep and aging not only enhances our understanding of their core functions and underlying mechanisms but also sheds light on how these processes interact with other health conditions. By studying molecular components and neural circuits in a simple model organism likeCaenorhabditis elegans—which has a fully mapped genome and nervous system, along with tools to manipulate gene and brain function—we can directly explore the processes of w88 online live casino and aging. This approach offers valuable insights into fundamental questions such aswhy do we w88 online live casino?andhow can we extend healthy lifespan?

The roundwormCaenorhabditis elegansis an ideal model for studying aging and w88 online live casino due to its behavioral similarities to humans, including clear w88 online live casino-like states and distinct physiological changes between w88 online live casino and wakefulness. Many of the anatomical and functional changes observed in human aging are also present inC. elegans. Its short lifespan of around three weeks, combined with a rapid 2-3 day life cycle and small size, makes it highly amenable to genetic manipulation and high-throughput screening for mutations that affect w88 online live casino and aging. Additionally,C. elegansgenes share strong homology with their human counterparts, especially those involved in the regulation of w88 online live casino and aging. The model has already led to key discoveries, such as RNA interference and the genetic regulation of programmed cell death, and continues to be a powerful tool for advancing research in w88 online live casino and aging.

w88 online live casino and metabolic processes are deeply interconnected, with significant clinical implications. For instance, insufficient w88 online live casino is linked to obesity and type 2 diabetes. We are exploring the genes and neurons that regulate these w88 online live casino-metabolic interactions. Our recent research has revealed that the conserved salt-inducible kinase 3 (SIK3) pathway plays a crucial role in the metabolic regulation of various w88 online live casino states inC. elegans, including developmentally-timed w88 online live casino (similar to circadian w88 online live casino) and stress-induced w88 online live casino (comparable to sickness w88 online live casino). The SIK3 proteins and their targets are highly conserved acrossC. elegans, mice, and humans. Currently, we are investigating how SIK3 coordinates the interaction between w88 online live casino and metabolism through genetic and neural approaches, as well as high-throughput behavioral analyses, to better understand why this pathway is critical for maintaining health.

Our lab is also focused on understanding organismal aging, which may involve the gradual accumulation of harmful molecular changes that contribute to age-related decline and disease. We are particularly interested in a newly recognized class of non-coding endogenous RNAs called circular RNAs (circRNAs), which are primarily produced through back-splicing events from known protein-coding genes. Our recent research has shown that circRNAs accumulate progressively and in large quantities during aging, at a genome-wide level, inC. elegans. However, the functions of these age-accumulated circRNAs, as well as those of most of the thousands of circRNAs discovered, remain unclear. Currently, we are using next-generation sequencing, genome-editing techniques, and behavioral analysis to explore the regulatory mechanisms and functions of circRNAs in aging, as well as their potential role in age-related diseases.

Finally, our lab is broadly focused on understanding how environmental and internal signals influence behavior and gene expression. We have published several studies on the dynamic changes in olfactory gene expression in response to the feeding state of the free-living nematodeC. elegans. These findings may provide valuable insights into how parasitic nematodes and disease-carrying insects navigate their hosts based on their nutritional status.

Courses taught

• BIOL 190: Introduction to Cell and Molecular w88 online live casino
• BIOL 395: Genetics and Cell w88 online live casino Lab
• BIOL 475/675: Neurobiology
• BIOL 476/676: Clocks, Rhythms and Disease
• BIOL 477/677: Genes, Brain and Behavior

Education

• Ph.D., w88 online live casino, Hubrecht Institute, University of Utrecht, The Netherlands, 2003
• M.Sc., Molecular w88 online live casino, University of Leiden, The Netherlands, 1999
• B.Sc., Biochemistry, Poly Technical College of Delft, The Netherlands, 1996
• B.Sc., Microbiology, Van Leeuwenhoek Institute, The Netherlands, 1993

Experience

• 2024-present, Associate Dean, College of Science, Professor, w88 casino, Reno, NV
• 2022-2024, Chair, Professor, w88 casino, Reno, NV
• 2022, Associate Chair, Associate Professor, w88 casino, Reno, NV
• 2016-present, Director, Cellular and Molecular Imaging Core, COBRE Integrative Neuroscience
• 2016-2022, Associate Professor, w88 casino, Reno, NV
• 2009-2016, Assistant Professor, w88 casino, Reno, NV
• 2003-2009, Postdoctoral Fellow, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA

Selected publications

Please find a complete list of published work onMy Bibliography.