PRR Project

Summary

Scientific progress over the past three decades has shown that the biology of aging can be approached similarly to that of normal human biology or human pathologies. The notion of aging as an insurmountably complex and inevitable aspect of life, resistant to study or yielding progress in health outcomes, has been debunked from scientific discourse and textbooks. Instead, researchers have identified methods to identify and quantify molecular damage associated with aging, discovered hallmarks of aging, elucidated molecular mechanisms and gene networks involved in aging, and highlighted aging as a major accelerator of age-related diseases. Sophisticated assays, along with cellular and animal models, have been developed to study aging, and various anti-aging drugs have been discovered, some undergoing clinical trials. Furthermore, the conceptualization of biological aging and methods for its quantification have enabled investigations into the effects of gene manipulations, drugs, nutrition, and environmental factors, fostering a multidisciplinary approach to tackling aging biology.The current position aims to bolster the MIA-Portugal research team´s efforts to address overlooked aspects of aging, specifically focusing on the role of protein synthesis control in aged cells. The successful candidate will pioneer a new area of aging research, coordinating projects centred on the biology of protein synthesis regulation and quality control within the context of aging and chronic diseases. She/he will secure national and international competitive funding to establish a cutting-edge research group and mentor the next generation of scientists in these areas.Additionally, the candidate will collaborate on teaching activities at the second and third cycles, develop products or services in collaboration with industry partners, and engage in scientific dissemination efforts within their sphere of expertise. Preference will be given to candidates with research experience and motivation in protein synthesis regulation and quality control in healthy aging and chronic diseases associated with aging. Specifically, expertise in the role of protein translation initiation factors in controlling protein expression in young, aged, and senescent human cells is desirable. Proficiency in utilizing multicellular model systems (e.g., C. elegans, D. melanogaster, or zebrafish) that allow for the dissection of the basic biology of aging is also welcomed.