SENIOPROM
(Targeting cellular SENescence based on Inter-Organelle communication, multi-level PROteostasis and Metabolic control)
SENIOPROM is a recently funded project by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF).
Our goal is to unravel the mysteries of senescent cells and aging.
Human aging is a complex process driving the progressive decline of homeostasis and regenerative potential of tissues. Senescent cells accumulate and compromise the function of organs, contributing to various age-related diseases. Disturbed mitochondrial function, inter-organelle communication, proteostasis and metabolic control lead to senescence-associated dysfunctions. However, the underlying mechanisms are still largely unexplored.
Our Aim
“To understand the pathways driving senescence; then, to tackle them.”
The SENIOPROM project aims to identify novel mechanisms and regulatory pathways driving cellular senescence, as well as develop and characterize new small molecules that target these pathways, in order to delay the progression of senescence and prevent its negative impact on tissues. The project will use various in vitro and in vivo models, including genetically engineered strains of S. cerevisiae and C. elegans, mice, and human organoids, and will involve interdisciplinary collaboration between molecular and cell biology, biotechnology, pharmacology, and medicinal chemistry. (More about the projects here).
To illustrate this, here you can see some of the potential interventions to modulate senescence to be studied in the SENIOPROM project.
About Us
We are an international (Austrian-based) team of ambitious scientists driven to address the fundamental questions in aging research.
The SENIOPROM project will involve four different research groups at three universities, each working on various aspects of aging research and drug development.
University of Innsbruck (Pidder Jansen-Dürr, Maria Cavinato & Teresa Kaserer);
Medical University of Graz (Corina Madreiter-Sokolowski);
Medical University Vienna (Markus Schosserer).
Our Universities:
FUN FACT! Senescent cells are also called “zombie cells”. This is because they can be dangerous to healthy cells nearby and in other parts of our body. “Zombie cells” accumulate during aging, occupy space and resources and cause inflammation.
Despite this, senescent cells (also) have important roles in our organism such as wound healing, embryogenesis and stopping cancer!
If you want to learn more about our work go to ‘Aging and Cellular Senescence’.
Check our State-of-the-Art Review!
“Cellular senescence, a stable cell division arrest caused by severe damage and stress, is a hallmark of aging in vertebrates including humans. With progressing age, senescent cells accumulate in a variety of mammalian tissues, where they contribute to tissue aging, identifying cellular senescence as a major target to delay or prevent aging. There is an increasing demand for […]”