TWINNING FOR EXCELLENCE IN RESEARCH, TRAINING AND INNOVATION IN EARLY-IN-LIFE STRESS AND AGING

A central aspect in aging concerns the extent to which early-in-life events can determine the aging process. For instance, stress-inducing conditions during development can positively impact healthspan and lifespan. However, the location, timing and cellular effects of such events are largely unknown.

The coordinator wishes to build on previous knowledge on signaling functions of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) which, when activated during early life stages, have protective effects.

By partnering with two prominent Centers in Aging Research, we plan to identify the critical time window and specific mechanisms which are triggered in response to stressors to contribute to lifespan determination and apply this knowledge to prolong life and protect against age-related pathologies.

This Twinning action will also enable the University of Crete to establish comprehensive training for its young scientists, strengthen the research management and organizational skills of its staff and the capacity to commercially exploit research outputs.

Though this partnership University of Crete will establish the first excellence hub in Research, Training and Innovation in the Biology of Aging in Greece and will converge with the most advanced institutions in terms of the quality of scientific data it produces, the amount of funding it secures, the supportive research culture and career prospects for its young scientists and the way it communicates research results and converts them to tangible outcomes for the society.