| Course title | Biology of Aging |
|---|---|
| Course code | KEB/VKBS |
| Organizational form of instruction | Lecture |
| Level of course | Bachelor |
| Year of study | 3 |
| Semester | Winter |
| Number of ECTS credits | 3 |
| Language of instruction | Czech |
| Status of course | Optional |
| Form of instruction | Face-to-face |
| Work placements | This is not an internship |
| Recommended optional programme components | None |
| Lecturer(s) |
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| Course content |
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Overview of topics: Aging and lifespan. Is aging a disease and can it be treated? Evolution of aging. Is aging an adaptation? If not, how could it have evolved? The mystery of menopause. Chronological and biological age. How do we measure aging? Epigenetic and other molecular clocks. Theories of aging. Is aging programmed, or merely the result of accumulated random damage? Cellular-level aging. Cellular senescence. Aging of stem cells. Tissue-, organ- and system-level aging - immunity, hormonal changes, influence of the microbiome. Stress. Damage and its repair. Hormesis. Anti-aging interventions - caloric restriction, exercise, senolytics, epigenetic reprogramming, heterochronic parabiosis Genetics of longevity - do we know the secrets of centenarians? Progeroid syndromes. Population aging. Gompertz's law. Does aging slow down after a hundred? Model organisms in aging biology. Record holders and their tips and tricks. Exposom and aging. Effects of lifestyle and environment pollution. Accelerated aging after anti-cancer therapy.
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| Learning activities and teaching methods |
| Lecture |
| Learning outcomes |
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Students will gain an overview of the current state of knowledge in the biology of aging, from cells to populations. They will also become familiar with the concept of successful aging and the possibilities for anti-aging interventions.
Describe and explain aging at the level of cells/tissues/organs/organisms/populations. |
| Prerequisites |
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unspecified
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| Assessment methods and criteria |
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Mark
Presentation of a research paper on aging, followed by a discussion |
| Recommended literature |
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| Study plans that include the course |
| Faculty | Study plan (Version) | Category of Branch/Specialization | Recommended semester | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Faculty: Faculty of Science | Study plan (Version): Experimental Biology - Specialization in Experimental Biology (2021) | Category: Biology courses | 3 | Recommended year of study:3, Recommended semester: Winter |
| Faculty: Faculty of Science | Study plan (Version): Bioanalytical Laboratory Diagnostics in Healthcare - Experimental Biology (2023) | Category: Biology courses | - | Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: Winter |
| Faculty: Faculty of Science | Study plan (Version): Experimental Biology - Specialization in Experimental Biology of Plants (2021) | Category: Biology courses | 3 | Recommended year of study:3, Recommended semester: Winter |