Tomas Prolla
genetics
Genetic Analysis
Greece
Biography
Genetics and Medical Genetics DNA repair, cancer and the aging process
Research Interest
My research program is focused on understanding the molecular basis of the aging process and its retardation by caloric restriction. Our studies have uncovered a central role for mitochondria and energy metabolism in both aging and its retardation by caloric restriction. We use the mouse as model system and most of our studies are based on the construction of mouse models of accelerated or retarded aging. We generate these models through the use of gene targeting in ES cells, as well as transgenic animal construction. An example of such work from our Laboratory is a widely used model of age-related mitochondrial dysfunction, mice deficient in the exonuclease domain of the mitochondrial DNA polymerase gamma
