Cellular Senescence and Beyond Core

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ABSTRACT Cell fates are important intermediates between age-related molecular events, including damage and stress, and the phenotypes and pathologies that are hallmarks of aging organisms. Cell fates can also offer unique -- and broadly applicable -- opportunities for interventions into many age-related diseases. The Cellular Senescence and Beyond Core (CSB) in this Nathan Shock Center (NSC) application will help academic researchers determine whether and to what extent specific cell fates play a role in their aging and/or intervention models. Depending on the project, the Core will characterize cell autonomous and non- autonomous features of selected cell fates, advise investigators of their possible physiological consequences, and test proposed intervention strategies. Aim 1 will establish and offer standardized methods to detect cell- associated markers of the cell fate decisions of cellular senescence, cell death and cell competition. Aim 2 will establish standardized methods to detect and assess the impact of the cell non-autonomous effects resulting from the cell fate decisions of cellular senescence, cell death and cell competition. The core will employ a variety of techniques, including ELISAs, immunocytochemistry, western analyses and, of particular utility, mass spectrometry to provide comprehensive, unbiased assessments. The Core will also advise investigators on strategies to identify the most promising cell autonomous and non-autonomous acting candidates and perform relevant assays to test these candidates for biological activity. In summary, the proposed Cellular Senescence and Beyond Core will provide investigators in aging research with a broad array of experimental assays and advice on how to determine whether and to what extent selected cell fate decisions are important contributors to the age-related phenotypes and pathologies of interest to the investigators.