Schedule, syllabus and examination date

Course content

Biology of Ageing’ covers evolutionary and mechanistic theories of ageing; comparative biology of ageing; the new model organism genetics of lifespan (eg C. elegans, Drosophila, mouse); methods in ageing research (eg functional genomic analysis); the biology of dietary restriction; cellular senescence and senotherapy, telomeres and cancer; ageing-related disease; the biology of insulin signalling, energy handling and associated diseases (eg diabetes and obesity); stem cell ageing; prospects for treatments for ageing; and social and ethical issues relating to research on ageing. This course is inspired by the ‘Biology of Ageing’ course (BIOL0022) initiated and lead by NO-Age Network (www.noage100.com) International member Prof. David Gems, University College London, UK.

The course will be composed of around 23 lectures by leading researchers in their fields, and three tutorials.

Indicative lecture topics – proposed

  • Lecture 01: Introduction to ageing 
  • Lecture 02: Mechanistic theories of ageing (ageing theories) 
  • Lecture 03: Damage and maintenance 
  • Lecture 04: Evolution of ageing
  • Lecture 05: Comparative biology of ageing 
  • Lecture 06: The biology of immortality
  • Lecture 07: Studies of ageing using model organisms 
  • Lecture 08: Normal ageing and Premature ageing diseases 
  • Lecture 09: DNA damage and telomere attrition 
  • Lecture 10: Senescence 
  • Lecture 11: Mitochondrial dysfunction 
  • Lecture 12: Loss of proteostasis and compromised autophagy 
  • Lecture 13: Stem cell exhaustion 
  • Lecture 14: Epigenetic alterations 
  • Lecture 15: Others: deregulated nutrient sensing and altered intercellular communication 
  • Lecture 16: Ageing and neurodegeneration 
  • Lecture 17: Age-related metabolic diseases 
  • Lecture 18: The ageing mouth 
  • Lecture 19: Exercise and healthy ageing 
  • Lecture 20: Dietary restriction 
  • Lecture 21: Others: microbiome, small compounds
  • Lecture 22: Philosophical, social, ethical, and gender influences on ageing, and ageism
  • Lecture 23: Impact on human society of ageing research: healthcare system, economy, policy making etc

Learning outcome

  • To attain a good grasp of the various facets of the biology of ageing and longevity (evolutionary biology, biodemography, genetics, biochemistry, cell biology, endocrinology, etc) and the relationship between them.
  • To understand the main theories of ageing, in terms of evolutionary and proximate mechanisms.
  • To understand some of the major diseases of ageing, and their etiologies in the underlying biology of ageing.
  • Discuss controversial ethical, philosophical and social issues relating to this work.

Admission

As of autumn 2023 MF9245 is replaced with MF9246 

Prerequisites

Formal prerequisite knowledge

Mandatory work/activity conducted in advance: to read the below papers ahead:

  1. The hallmarks of ageing (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23746838/)
  2. The quest to slow ageing through drug discovery (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32467649/ 
  3. A research agenda for ageing in China in the 21st century (2nd edition): Focusing on basic and translational research, long-term care, policy and social networks (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32971255/)

Recommended previous knowledge

Background on biology, biochemistry, or other related topics.

Overlapping courses

Teaching

The teaching tasks include:

Around 23 lectures (1 h for each lecture)

You have to participate in at least 80 % of the teaching to be allowed to take the exam. Attendance will be registered.

Examination

Methods of assessment:

Exam in the format of ‘essays’ (Online remote or in class based on the situation, like COVID-19; or essay based exam paper to be submitted).

To note, you have to participate in at least 80% of the teaching to be qualified to take the exam.

Course assessment: 

Methods of assessment: assays (100%, to be submitted by the designated deadline). 

The exam (in date) - Two essays to be selected from five questions. Worth 100% of total. For each essay:

  • at least 500 words are needed (excluded references);
  • at least 10 references should be cited;
  • The formats of the assays are ‘Arial’, size ‘12’, line spacing 1.0, 
  • Detailed guideline on the exam will be released shortly.  

Submit assignments in Inspera

You submit your assignment in the digital examination system Inspera. Read about how to submit your assignment.

Use of sources and citation

You should familiarize yourself with the rules that apply to the use of sources and citations. If you violate the rules, you may be suspected of cheating/attempted cheating.

Language of examination

The examination text is given in English, and you submit your response in English.

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a pass/fail scale. Read more about the grading system.

Explanations and appeals

Resit an examination

Withdrawal from an examination

It is possible to take the exam up to 3 times. If you withdraw from the exam after the deadline or during the exam, this will be counted as an examination attempt.

Special examination arrangements

Application form, deadline and requirements for special examination arrangements.

Evaluation

The course is subject to continuous evaluation. At regular intervals we also ask students to participate in a more comprehensive evaluation.

Facts about this course

Credits
4
Level
PhD
Teaching

As of autumn 2023 MF9245 is replaced by MF9246