CHA - Key Persons
Telomeres make up the physical ends of chromosomes and ensure that they are not mistakenly recognized as DNA damage. Each time a cell divides the telomeres shorten. Short telomeres drive replicatively "old" cells into a non-proliferative state referred to as replicative senescence. Accelerated telomere shortening leads to the premature accumulation of senescent cells, a scenario seen in the degenerative disease dyskeratosis congenita.
T cells are crucially involved in the surveillance of tissues to eliminate infected or transformed cells. This function depends on the recognition of small peptide fragments presented by HLA molecules on the surface of cells. The presentation of peptides resulting from pathogen-derived or mutated proteins triggers the activation of T cells, whereas peptides derived from self-proteins are important for the induction of T cell tolerance in the thymus.
Maintaining quality of life, psychological well-being, a positive attitude and social participation are crucial aspects of healthy ageing. Resilience refers to the capacity to maintain mental well-being and social functioning in the face of inevitable functional decline and somatic illnesses in the course of ageing.
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Executive Board and Chief Medical Officer at University Medical Center Mainz
Norbert is the Chair of the Executive Board and Chief Medical Officer at University Medical Center Mainz and the head of the department of Opthamology.
He is an elected member of the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina.
Job Titles:
- Adjunct Director at the Institute of Molecular Biology
Peter is an Adjunct Director at the Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB) and an Alexander von Humboldt Professor of Molecular Biology at Johannes Gutenberg University (JGU), Mainz.
He is an elected member of the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) and an alumni of the Pew Scholar in Biomedical Sciences Program. Peter is also the recipient of a Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Early Career Scientist Award and a Basil O' Connor Scholar Research Award from the March of Dimes.
Job Titles:
- Executive
- Geschäftsführer Und Geschäftsführender Wissenschaftlicher Direktor
Christof is the Executive and Founding & Scientific Director of the Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB) and a Professor of Biology at Johannes Gutenberg University (JGU), Mainz.
He is an elected member of the European Molecular Biology Organisation (EMBO) and is the recipient of a Gottfried-Wilhelm-Leibniz Prize and an EMBO Gold Medal.
Job Titles:
- Geschäftsführer Und Wissenschaftlicher Direktor
The integrity of the DNA in our cells is essential for normal cellular functions. However, DNA damage, caused by various endogenous and exogenous factors throughout life, can accumulate over time. While cells possess many intricate DNA repair mechanisms, their efficiency wanes with age, leading to the persistence of DNA lesions and genomic instability. This accumulation contributes to cellular senescence, a state of irreversible growth arrest, and drives the ageing process. Moreover, unrepaired DNA damage can result in mutations, compromising the fidelity of genetic information and exacerbating cellular dysfunction. As a consequence, tissues and organs experience functional decline, predisposing individuals to age-related diseases such as cancer, neurodegeneration and cardiovascular disorders. Both heritable and acquired defects in some DNA repair genes can result in accelerated ageing diseases that affect longevity. Understanding the nexus between DNA damage and ageing offers insights into the fundamental mechanisms underlying age-related changes and informs strategies to promote healthy ageing and longevity.