Abstract:  Cellular senescence is a protective mechanism that organisms have evolved to keep the incidence of cancer low. It can be triggered by different stressors including genetic instability, DNA damage, telomere shortening, or oncogene activation. When cells bypass senescence, and escape replicative arrest, carcinogenesis ensues. Senescence is also linked to aging and age-related diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and ALS. However, little is known about the key intrinsic cellular processes that derive cellular senescence. The advances in mass spectrometry-based proteomics are providing an unprecedented insight into the cellular processes of various diseases. Our understanding of senescence and aging at the molecular level will progress from identifying global regulators, to defining the proteins that they control, to describing the biochemical events that induce cellular phenotypes. In this presentation, I will highlight various proteomics methods that we are utilizing with other complementary approaches to reveal the molecular basis of senescence, notably oncogene-induce senescence. I will also discuss how similar approaches can be used to study aging and age-related neurological diseases.

Zoom link: https://bit.ly/3mNID7v 

Bio: Dr. Aryal received his Master of Science from Shinshu University in Japan, and his PhD from Kyushu University in Japan, studying biodegradation of aromatic pollutants from white-rot fungus.  As a postdoctoral researcher, Dr. Aryal worked on developing analytical methods for MS-based proteomics to obtain a mechanistic view of cellular pathways and processes using systems-level knowledge. At Purdue, Uma is the director of the Proteomics Facility housed in the Bindley Biosciences Center. His independent research focuses on cellular senescence, diet-induced obesity, and insulin resistance. As the director, Dr. Aryal works with other researchers at the interface of cell biology and proteomics to build a new understanding of molecular mechanisms associated with diseases, and harness such knowledge for therapeutic development.

Sponsored by Plexon Neurotechnology Systems.