Grant: Operating Grant

Aging is associated with the development of metabolic disorders such as diabetes, obesity and atherosclerosis. The molecular pathways involved are not yet fully characterized. We have found a novel and possibly important gene that is robustly changed upon aging in fat tissue. The present grant application aims at determining the role of this gene, which is a protein found in the nucleus of cells that acts as a nuclear cofactor. We will study how this nuclear cofactor impacts on the biology of fat cells, adipose tissue, whole-body energetics and in the control of longevity. The project will use cellular models as well as mice with specific mutation by genetic engineering. The project is timely considering the important changes in the Canadian demography towards an older population.