Biology of Ageing

• To attain a good grasp of the various facets of the biology of ageing and longevity (evolutionary biology, biodemography, genetics, biochemistry, cell biology, endocrinology, etc) and the relationship between them.
• To understand the main theories of ageing, in terms of evolutionary and proximate mechanisms.
• To understand some of the major diseases of ageing, and their etiologies in the underlying biology of ageing.
• Discuss controversial ethical, philosophical and social issues relating to this work.

Mandatory work/activity conducted in advance: to read the below papers ahead:

1. The hallmarks of ageing: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23746838/
2. The quest to slow ageing through drug discovery: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32467649/
3. A research agenda for ageing in China in the 21st century (2nd edition): Focusing on basic and translational research, long-term care, policy and social networks: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32971255/
4. Emerging strategies, applications and challenges of targeting NAD+ in the clinic: https://doi.org/10.1038/s43587-025-00947-6
5. Adapting health, economic and social policies to address population aging in China: https://doi.org/10.1038/s43587-025-00999-8

This course is open to PhD-candidates, masters students and undergraduate students from any institutions/universities in Norway.

Applicants admitted to a PhD programme at UiO sign up for classes and exam to this course in StudentWeb.

Applicants who are not admitted to a PhD programme at UiO must apply for a right to study before they can sign up for classes and exam to this course. See information here: How to apply for a right to study and admission to elective PhD courses in medicine and health sciences

Applicants will upon registration receive an immediate reply in StudentWeb as to whether a seat at this course is granted or not.

The course is organized as a 5 days course.

The course will be composed of around 23 lectures by leading researchers in their fields. The course coordinators are Associate Prof. Evandro Fei Fang and Prof. Hilde L. Nilsen.

Indicative lecture topics:

• Lecture 01: Introduction to ageing
• Lecture 02: Mechanistic theories of ageing (ageing theories)
• Lecture 03: Damage and maintenance
• Lecture 04: Evolution of ageing
• Lecture 05: Comparative biology of ageing
• Lecture 06: The biology of immortality
• Lecture 07: Studies of ageing using model organisms
• Lecture 08: Normal ageing and Premature ageing diseases
• Lecture 09: DNA damage and telomere attrition
• Lecture 10: Senescence
• Lecture 11: Mitochondrial dysfunction
• Lecture 12: Loss of proteostasis and compromised autophagy
• Lecture 13: Stem cell exhaustion
• Lecture 14: Epigenetic alterations
• Lecture 15: Others: deregulated nutrient sensing and altered intercellular communication
• Lecture 16: Ageing and neurodegeneration
• Lecture 17: Age-related metabolic diseases
• Lecture 18: The ageing mouth
• Lecture 19: Exercise and healthy ageing
• Lecture 20: Dietary restriction
• Lecture 21: Others: microbiome, small compounds
• Lecture 22: Philosophical, social, ethical, and gender influences on ageing, and ageism
• Lecture 23: Impact on human society of ageing research: healthcare system, economy, policy making etc

You have to participate in at least 80 % of the teaching to be allowed to take the exam. Attendance will be registered.