Research Seminar - Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment

Seminar Abstract: Oxidative stress has been proposed as a universal mediator of trade-offs among life history traits. According to this hypothesis, physiological adjustments linked to the pace of life histories, i.e. rates of metabolism, growth and reproduction, cause variation in rates of oxidative damage to key cellular components, including nuclear and mitochondrial DNA. The accumulated oxidative damage might determine rates of biological ageing. Studies aiming to link oxidative stress and life history traits have been severely hampered, however, by difficulties in measuring and interpreting assays of oxidative stress in animals.

In my DECRA-funded project, I aim to overcome these problems by using a novel indicator of oxidative damage to nuclear DNA in living organisms: shortening of telomeres in telomerase-knockout mice. The rate of telomere shortening is affected by oxidative stress and linked to ageing, health and future survival probability in bird and mammal species including humans. I plan a number of experiments designed to test hypotheses that metabolism, growth and reproductive effort influence individual differences in rates of telomere shortening in these mice. I am particularly interested to use this model to test whether hypometabolic physiological states, such as daily torpor in mice, reduce somatic damage and therefore slow rate of ageing.

Further information about Chris can be found at: www.uws.edu.au/hie/christopherturbill

The seminar will be followed by drinks and nibbles available in the foyer of L9 – all are welcome!

No RSVP is required, we hope to see you all there.