This project asks a simple but powerful question: how does nature erase the signs of cellular aging? During meiosis, the developmental program that makes eggs and sperm, cells not only prepare for reproduction but also discard built-up damage, emerging younger and healthier. We study this program in budding yeast, where meiosis is both rapid and inducible, and hallmarks of cellular aging are conserved, yet occur within a short time window, making it a powerful system for discovery.
Our central questions are: Which molecular pathways reset cell quality during meiosis, and can they be repurposed to reverse damage in other contexts? Using genetic tools, live-cell imaging, and molecular profiling, we aim to build a whole-cell rejuvenation map, pinpointing the key pathways that clear cellular damage and restore vitality.
This work is urgently needed because current aging research rarely exploits this potent, natural rejuvenation program, leaving a rich discovery space untapped. By the end of the project, we will identify the major players in this process, show how they work, and begin to test their ability to extend the lifespan of non-reproductive cells. Success could open the door to new strategies for preserving cellular health and preventing age-associated diseases by harnessing nature’s own renewal blueprint.
