Aging Research, Project 1: Cellular and Molecular Studies of Mitochondrial Fragmentation and loss of Metabolic Flexibility in Aging
George A. Brooks, Professor
Integrative Biology
Closed. This professor is continuing with Fall 2023 apprentices on this project; no new apprentices needed for Spring 2024.
Projects 1 (Cell and Molecular Regulation of Metabolism) and 2 (Whole body Metabolic Regulation) are related. The student will be working on a large interdisciplinary research project investigating the effects of aging, gender and physical fitness on the control the balance of energy derived from different fuel sources within the body. Focus will be on the effects of lactate on metabolic flexibility. Specifically, in Project 1 the student will become facile in the care and handling of lab rodents as well as using with cellular and molecular tools and technologies to study metabolic regulation. In Project 2 in human subjects the student will become facile with taking vital signs, exercise stress testing, pulmonary function assessment, indirect calorimetry, and ECG recording and blood pressure determination. As well, in both projects the student will learn safe laboratory procedures such as decanting blood and managing it through various spectrophotometric, enzymatic and GC/MS analyses. The student will gain experience working with a research team including professor (principal investigator), staff research associates, post-doctoral fellows, graduate student researcher, attending physician, nurse and human subjects (Project 2). Importantly, the student will gain experience in the concepts and practices of ethical human subject research.
Students will need to take online instruction in EHS 101 on safe laboratory practices and other courses through EH&S and CITI.
Role: To be determined, see above.
Qualifications: Campus courses on biology, physiology, exercise physiology, nutrition and metabolism, IB 132 and IB 123AL past or concurrent desired.
Off campus certifications: First Aid, Paramedic, PA, other.
Hours: to be negotiated
Off-Campus Research Site: Two hours/Semester unit, minimum of 2 SUs (6 hr/wk) in Campus
Related website: https://ib.berkeley.edu/people/faculty/brooksg
Biological & Health Sciences