Overview
Aging is a normal part of life, but it doesn’t have to mean getting sick. We are committed to discovering the fundamental causes of aging and finding new ways to prevent and treat age-related diseases.
Overview
Aging is a normal part of life, but it doesn’t have to mean getting sick. We are committed to discovering the fundamental causes of aging and finding new ways to prevent and treat age-related diseases.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia, but it is not a normal part of aging. It causes memory loss and cognitive issues that interfere with daily life. There are no cures for this progressive, ultimately fatal disease, which affects more than six million Americans. At Salk, we are searching for the root causes of Alzheimer’s disease, exploring how aging cells within the brain, along with genetic mutations and abnormal proteins, contribute to the disorder.
Professor
Genomic Analysis Laboratory, Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology Laboratory
Director, Genomic Analysis Laboratory
Cardiovascular diseases are disorders of the heart and blood vessels, and they are the leading cause of death globally. Cardiovascular diseases affect hundreds of millions of people each year and include conditions such as coronary heart disease, pulmonary embolism, heart attack, and stroke. Some contributing factors are behavioral, such as tobacco use, while other factors are unavoidable, such as aging. At Salk, we research the contributing factors on the genetic and molecular level to better understand how these conditions come about and how to prevent them.
Parkinson’s disease is an age-related brain disorder that causes uncontrolled movements, such as shaking, stiffness, and difficulty with balance. The disease is linked to reduced levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine, a molecule critical for brain function. Current treatment options are limited, and there is no cure for Parkinson’s disease. At Salk, we are identifying the mutated genes and proteins involved in Parkinson’s disease and tracing how these factors damage the brain. We are also charting the brain centers altered by Parkinson’s disease to understand how to block or even reverse the effects of this condition.
The body is constantly repairing or replacing its damaged cells, tissues, and organs. But can this regenerative process be harnessed to target dysfunctional cells in disorders and diseases? To address this question, Salk researchers are advancing our understanding of early human development, disease onset, and aging; rejuvenating old cells in a process called cellular reprogramming; and addressing the critical need for transplantable organs.