Upstate NY Comparative Biology of Aging Nathan Shock Center - Summary: This application proposes to establish the Upstate NY Nathan Shock Center of Excellence in Basic Biology of Aging (Upstate NSC) focused on Comparative Biology of Aging. Comparative biology approach has a great potential to bring breakthroughs in the studies of aging and longevity. Lifespans range more than 100- fold between animal species. To generate this diversity of lifespans evolution has tested more longevity mechanisms than could be achieved in any laboratory experiment. These mechanisms are waiting to be revealed by applying comparative biology approaches. A major hurdle to broader implementation of comparative biology approach is access to resources and organisms outside of the conventional laboratory bestiary. Upstate NSC will fill this gap in resource and technology availability. Upstate NSC will combine the expertise of University of Rochester and Cornell University researchers, who have developed innovative and unique resources that can advance the field of aging biology. The proposed Research Resource Cores take advantage of this expertise to provide investigators across the nation with access to unique model organisms and state-of-the-art technology: We are proposing four Research Resource Cores that will seamlessly integrate to generate data and resources in Comparative Biology of Aging. (1) The Live Animal Core will maintain and share naked mole rats as a model of health aging, Damaraland mole rats as a short-lived sister species to naked mole rats, African Spiny mice as a model of regeneration and horses as a model of reproductive aging and miscarriage (2) The Unconventional Invertebrate Core will focus on eusocial ants and wasps where lifespans in individuals of the same species differ dramatically and can be manipulated by a parasite. The Live animal and Invertebrate cores will provide advice on experimental design and husbandry, protocols, specimens, and share live animals to assist investigators in establishing colonies at their institutions. (3) The Frozen Zoo Core will maintain collections of tissues from 50+ species of mammals and the species maintained by the above Cores. (4) The Comparative Omics Core will process samples from the first three Cores and develop novel technologies of high interest to aging research such as analyses of protein modifications and proteostasis, untargeted metabolomics, and unique processes of data integration across Omics platforms. The research cores will work together with the Research Development and Administrative/program enrichment cores to attract new talent and expertise to and distribute the resources to the community, making the Center as a whole greater than the individual parts. The Administrative Core will coordinate conferences, symposia, workshops, and seminars on aging biology. Upstate NSC will work closely with other funded NSCs and the aging community at large to develop collaborative projects and organize joint conferences. Upstate NSC will provide conceptual leadership and serve as a hub for the development and exchange of ideas that will inspire students, attract new investigators, and inform the public. Combining these activities in one integrated Center will effectively move the field of aging biology forward.
