The Genetics of Aging with Professor Mira Pronobis

Why do we age, and why do some people remain healthy much longer than others? How much of the aging process is determined by our genes, and how much is shaped by our environment and lifestyle? In this two-part presentation, Professor Mira Pronobis of the University of Denver Department of Biological Sciences will introduce the basic principles of genetics and explore how our genes influence the aging process. We will examine what happens to our cells and organs as we grow older and how these changes contribute to age-related conditions, including neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases. We will also explore what studies of families, twins, and exceptionally long-lived individuals have taught us about the relative contributions of genetics and environment to lifespan and healthy aging. Finally, we will look at current research into the biology of aging and ask an important question: If our genes influence how we age, how much of our aging trajectory can we actually change? Thursday, November 5, 11 a.m.–12 p.m . Part 1: Genes, Environment, and Why We Age Thursday, November 12, 11 a.m.–12 p.m. Part 2: From Aging to Disease: What Happens to the Brain, Heart, and Body Please register below.