The course intends to provide an up-to- date overview of the field of aging and gerontology. While all of us intuitively know what the aging is, many basic questions about aging are mysterious. Is aging itself a disease, and can we successfully intervene in the aging process? Or is it a program that one can hack? The course will start with a discussion of aging systems both from the view of biologist but also from the point of view of a system engenderer. We will explore the scientific discoveries made from studies of model organisms, which have led to revelations about the molecular biology of aging. We will look at aging at different angles – from population genetics to the “reliability theory”. The second part of the course will describe methods for studying aging, descriptions of population aging, and theories on how and why we age. We are going to understand why older people more likely to experience neurodegenerative disorders, stroke, and cancer and what kind of changes happen at the molecular and cellular levels that are associated with these diseases. The third part of the course provides an in depth discussion of the processes of aging in various body systems. In combination with this we will discuss some medical treatments that can extend the lifespan of organisms as diverse as yeast and primates, and the implications for successfully intervening in age-related diseases. Finally students will explore biological changes that occur with aging at the molecular and organismal levels and how they can be viewed from the perspectives of various disciplines.

The course intends to provide an up-to-date overview of the biology of aging, one of
the fastest growing scientific disciplines of the 21st century, located at the intersection of
biology, mathematics, computer science and medicine. Students who complete this course (ı) will gain knowledge regarding developmental changes as they occur during the aging process; (ıı) will be able to evaluate current issues related to the aging process; (ııı) will be able to apply the above knowledge in their chosen areas of professional development.

Shortly, students should be able to:
• Explain aging as a biological, evolutionary, and demographic process
• Distinguish between chronological and biological age and interpret survival curves and mortality models
• Describe major physiological, cellular, and molecular mechanisms of aging
• Compare classical and modern theories of aging using experimental evidence
• Analyze the roles of DNA damage, telomeres, mitochondria, ROS, and apoptosis in aging
• Evaluate genetic and epigenetic contributions to lifespan and longevity
• Interpret data from animal and cellular models of aging
• Explain the relationship between aging, cancer, and age-related diseases
• Assess pharmacological and lifestyle interventions that modify aging and lifespan
• Critically read, analyze, and present original research papers in the biology of aging

Format: This course consists of approximately 23+ lectures separated by 3-4 workshops (‘’Aging Weeks’’) and 2 tests. For the workshops, students will be required to read and analyze at least one paper in top journals, present it and be able to address questions from the audience. For regular lectures, seminal papers will be shared to read and discuss in class. 

Prerequisites: A basic level understanding of mol and cell biology, biochemistry, social principle of sustainable development, and statistics is a highly prerequisite.

Handbook of the Biology of Aging 9th Edition Editors: Nicolas Musi Peter Hornsby eBook ISBN: 9780128162835 (we have 6th Edition in SU information unit, also OK)
Biology of Aging, 2nd Edition, Roger B. McDonald ISBN 9780815345671
Fortunately, or unfortunately, no good textbooks on aging have yet been written. Therefore, the above handbooks supplement rather than replace the lectures. In addition, starting with the second lecture, I will offer you to read some original articles and ask questions about them. The idea is for you to develop critical thinking. You should not take every published paper as dogma, but should pick out the important points and pay attention to the weaknesses.
If you want to use other books on aging, show them to me.