Distinguished Speaker Series: Understanding and treating aging

Hosted by the Academy of Distinguished Researchers and presented in collaboration with the Sigma Xi UTSA Chapter.

Advancing age is the most important risk factor for the development of age-related diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer's Disease. Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase (TERT) plays an essential role in telomere maintenance and in the regulation of transcription factors governing gene expression networks integral to aging and age-related diseases. 

The onset of aging is associated with epigenetic repression of TERT, resulting in alterations in TERT-regulated transcriptome. Telomerase activator compound (TAC) de-represses the TERT promoter, restores physiological TERT levels, and ameliorates hallmarks of aging. TAC treatment of aged mice eliminated senescent cells, quelled inflammaging, spurred neurogenesis with improved cognition, and enhanced neuromuscular function with increased strength, balance and coordination. The impact of TAC treatment on age-related diseases will also be discussed. 

Ronald A. DePinho, MD

Harry Graves Burkhart III Distinguished University Chair

Professor, Department of Cancer Biology
Past President, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center