Dr. Anne-claude Gavin

Biography

Biography PhD 1992, University of Geneva. Postdoctoral research at EMBL. Director, Molecular and Cell Biology, Cellzome AG, Heidelberg. Group leader at EMBL since 2005. Senior scientist since 2011. Elected EMBO Member since 2013. Group leader in the Molecular Medicine Partnership Unit. Anne-Claude Gavin and Anthony D. Ho Project Summary The regenerative power of a living organism is linked to the potential of its stem cells to replace the corresponding damaged tissue. A living organism is therefore as old as its stem cells. Surprisingly little is known about the impact of time and age on the basic units of life, the stem cells. Using hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) and their microenvironment as a model, our long-term goal is to define the molecular mechanisms of ageing in somatic stem cells and means to correct these age-related alterations. The experimental approaches are (1) identification of candidate genes and proteins by expression analyses of HSC as well as mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) derived from different age groups, (2) correlation of cell biological characteristics with ageing specific alterations in genomes and proteomes; (3) analysis of acetylation, phosphorylation of candidate genes associated with aging; (4) relationship of these alterations to development of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) as a model for a typical age specific disease. Background Besides loss of functions, reduced capacity to regenerate tissues or organs upon injury and a propensity to infections and cancers are the most prominent hallmarks of senescence. The regenerative prowess of a living organism is linked to the ability and potential of its stem cells to replace the corresponding damaged tissue. Whereas the vulnerability to infectious disease and cancer is associated with a decline of the immune system, the latter is in turn a sum product of interactions among hematopoietic stem cells (HSC), the microenvironments in the bone marrow, among others. Hence both phenomena can be interpreted as signs of aging at the level of somatic stem cells. HSC are ideal models for studies on the influence of time, age and environment on somatic stem cells.

Research Interest

Previous and current research The group currently works on three different spatial scales, but with common underlying methodological frameworks: genes, proteins and small molecules; molecular and cellular networks; microbial communities.