Buck Institute For Research On Aging

Programs: The buck institute for research on aging (the "institute") is a nonprofit charitable entity. The mission of the institute is to increase the healthy, productive years of life through basic biomedical research on aging and its connection to chronic conditions commonly associated with old age. The institute's research programs address two fundamental questions:- what is the nature of aging? - what factors trigger diseases associated with age? Established as an independent, not-for-profit research center, the institute opened in 1999 and currently houses the laboratories of principal investigators recruited for leadership in theirrespective fields of research. The institute's research programs are based on an interdisciplinary approach, involving complimentary areas of inquiry: the genetics and biochemistry of aging including oxidative stress, mitochondrial function and genetic determination of lifespan. - age-related conditions including cancer, stroke, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, macular degeneration, alzheimer's disease and parkinson's disease. - regenerative medicine (stem cell research) and aging. - new technology to support age-related research including genomics, proteomics and bioinformatics. The institute considers education and training at all levels a key component of its research program. One of the most important functions is to encourage the career development of the next generation of age researchers. In partnership with the university of southern california, the institute has launched the country's first phd program in the biology of aging. The institute also partners with dominican university to train masters studetns in relevant biosciences. The institute sponsors a series of informal (intramural) and formal (extramural) research seminars which include international and national scientific symposia for the aging research community. The science education program allows high school and college students to work side by side with researchers to enhance learning and encourage students interested in entering the field of science. In addition, the institute conducts quarterly public seminars on various topics related to aging for bay area residents. Docent-lead public tours are also conducted on a weekly basis.