Biological Sciences
Meng Wang, PhD (she/her/hers)
Senior Group Leader
Janelia Research Campus
Ashburn, Virginia, United States
Meng Wang, PhD (she/her/hers)
Senior Group Leader
Janelia Research Campus
Ashburn, Virginia, United States
Kristopher Burkewitz, PhD
Assistant Professor of Cell and Developmental Biology
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Mike Henne, PhD
Associate Professor
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Dallas, Texas, United States
Chuankai (Kai) Zhou, PhD (he/him/his)
Assistant Professor
Buck Institute for Research on Aging
Novato, California, United States
In eukaryotic cells, specific functions are compartmentalized into various organelles that are evolutionarily conserved across species. Many of these organelles play crucial roles in regulating cellular homeostasis and organismal health. Lysosomes, mitochondria, lipid droplets, and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) are highly metabolic active and support the metabolic balance of lipids, amino acids, carbohydrates, and nucleotides. These organelles also regulate signal transduction, transcriptional responses, and epigenetic dynamics, and contribute to the control of lifespan and healthspan in a variety of organisms. Importantly, these organelles do not act in isolation, instead exhibit complex intercommunication at structural, metabolic and signaling levels. The dysfunction of these organelles and their intercommunications have been associated with aging and age-related pathologies. This symposium aims to encourage innovative studies on the role of organelle interactions and communications in regulating aging and longevity. Speakers have been invited to share their new findings in this research topic. We will discuss how lysosomal metabolism couples with lysosomal signaling to regulate organelle crosstalk, tissue communication, and organism lifespan; how ER and mitochondria communicate through calcium signaling and promote longevity; how lipid droplets play a novel role in remodeling carbohydrate metabolism and define the metabolic balance in supporting organism health; and how lysosomal activity, mitochondrial function and cytosolic proteostasis orchestrate to support cellular homeostasis.
Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Meng Wang, PhD (she/her/hers) – Janelia Research Campus
Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Kristopher Burkewitz, PhD – Vanderbilt University
Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Mike Henne, PhD – University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Chuankai (Kai) Zhou, PhD (he/him/his) – Buck Institute for Research on Aging