Ageing Research Program

Background

Ageing is a highly complex biological process resulting in the progressive loss of ability of organs and cells to maintain biochemical function, eventually leading to age associated diseases and death. A variety of changes make up the multi-system process of ageing; among these is the progressive decrease with age in the bioenergy (energy produced by cells in the body) capacity of individuals. We have in recent years published a series of papers suggesting the why, and the how, by which this decline in bioenergy function occurs. Further we have suggested a treatment for the re-energisation of cells/tissues/organs of animals and human subjects, thereby potentially reducing the severity of some age associated diseases and most importantly with potential to improve human well being and life style. Our primary objective is to develop therapies with a potential to improve the health and life style of the ageing community.

Mitochondria are structures within cells that house mitochondrial DNA, the genetic system which is concerned only with energy production. Our laboratory has been active in investigating the changes in mitochondrial DNA observed in ageing tissues and the relationship of these changes to the loss of bioenergy that is characteristic of ageing. In 1989 the Centre's Director Anthony Linnane, and colleagues proposed that mutation in the mitochondrial DNA played a major role in the human ageing process. The accumulation with age of mtDNA mutations affects the cell's ability to produce bioenergy in the form of ATP (the cells' fuel), with resultant decrease in bioenergetic capacity. The consequences of this ageing phenomenon will impact on conditions as diverse as those affecting brain functions (eg Parkinson's disease and Stroke), skeletal muscle (frailty) and cardiac muscle (heart attacks).

Many studies in both our own laboratory and others have firmly established that the proposed increase in mitochondrial DNA mutations does indeed occur with age.