EPIGENETICS,
METABOLISM AND AGING

Understanding epigenetics for healthy aging

Manlio Vinciguerra, Ph.D., MSc

E-mail: manlio.vinciguerra@fnusa.cz
Phone: +420 511 158 277

Key words

Epigenetics, Nutrition, Gastrointestinal Cancers, Aging, Immunity, Hematopoietic Stem Cells.

Research focus

  • To study how large histone variants called macroH2A1.1 and macroH2A1.2, splicing isoforms of macroH2A1, function as energy sensors and oncogenes in many cancer types and during induced pluripotent stem cells reprograming.
  • To understand the role of a rejuvenating factor, identified through parabiotic screening called Growth Differentiation Factor 11 (GDF11) in nutrient metabolism in mice.
  • Study of the variants of epigenetic enzyme SIRT6, which are involved in longer lifespan, as encountered in Ashkenazi Jews.

Main goals

  • Study the epigenetic macroH2A1 isoforms and DNA-damage components of endothelial cells repro­graming into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC).
  • Uncovering the side effects of the „youth factor“ GDF11 in obese mice and humans.
  • Dissect the role of longevity-associated mutants of SIRT6 in hepatic metabolism.

Technological equipment

  • Laboratory equipment for cell sorting, analysis, tissue characterization:
  • Flow cytometer
  • Cell sorter
  • Multiphoton microscope
  • Magnetic cell separator – mastering the complexity of cell processing
  • Automatic cell analyzer
  • Confocal laser scanning microscope suited for live imaging
  • Laser microdissection microscope with PALM microbeam system
  • Ultracentrifuge
  • PCR and real-time PCR system