Carter Burton
Pronouns: he/him
Research Mentor(s): Scott Leiser
Research Mentor School/College/Department: Molecular and integrative Physiology / Medicine
Program:
Authors: Carter Burton, Safa Beydoun, Scott Leiser
Session: Session 5: 2:40 pm – 3:30 pm
Poster: 48
Abstract
Recent studies have identified pathways that are sufficient to slow the aging process in multiple model organisms through the perception of stress. One of these perceived stresses is nutrient stress, where dietary restriction (DR) is the most robust intervention identified to increase lifespan and improve healthspan. In C. elegans, DR mediated lifespan extension is dependent on the induction of the longevity gene, fmo-2. Exposing the fmo-2p::mCherry (worm reporter strain) worms to dietary restriction results in an induction in the fmo-2 gene as quantified by mCherry fluorescence imaging. More recently, it was observed that the expression of this longevity gene under DR is dependent on the presence of antibiotics and FUdR in the environment as these factors change physiology of the bacteria. To determine the role of these conditions on DR-mediated fmo-2 induction (imaging) and lifespan extension (lifespan assay), plates of 10 worms exposed to fed and DR conditions with variations of FUdR + carbenicillin (carb), FUdR, and carb were set up. The lifespan data indicated that the worms exposed to both antibiotics and FUdR did not live as long as compared to the fed controls. Additionally, under combined carb and FUdR conditions, the lifespan decreased further creating questions regarding the interactions between all of the antibiotics, FUdR, and the bacteria. These findings implicate antibiotics (carb) and FUdR as a variable in DR mediated fmo-2 induction and lifespan extension in C. elegans.
