It is clear that our population is aging rapidly and this presents a major challenge for society. At the recent Pint of Science festival in Pamplona, I had the opportunity to share our goals in the field of aging research and highlight our commitment to understanding the biological and molecular foundations of aging.
Research into aging is both fascinating and complex. One of the biggest challenges is that aging is a highly heterogeneous process influenced by genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. This makes it difficult to identify clear mechanisms or universal biomarkers. Reliable indicators of biological age are still lacking, and commonly used animal models often fail to fully mimic human aging, limiting translational potential. The long timescales required to study aging, combined with significant interindividual heterogeneity, add further complexity to experimental design and data interpretation.
Another challenge is the public perception of aging research. Many people mistakenly believe that aging research is about trying to live forever, which can lead to skepticism and reduced public support. In reality, the true goal is not to extend life at all costs, but to improve healthspan, the number of years we live in good health. To make meaningful progress, we need clear communication, sustained funding, and collaboration across scientific disciplines.
The goal of our laboratory “RNA and senescence” at CIMA-Universidad de Navarra, is to better understand a process called cellular senescence, which happens when certain cells in our body stop dividing as we age. Although hese cells do not dye, they stay active and can influence aging and diseases like cancer. Our main goal is to identify the weaknesses of these senescent cells and discover molecular markers that could help us target and manage them as we age.
We are especially interested in studying the role of RNA, a molecule that acts as a messenger between our DNA (which stores genetic information) and the proteins that carry out functions in the cell. Some RNA, known as coding RNA, carries the information needed to make proteins. But there are also non-coding RNAs, which don’t produce proteins but still play important roles in regulating genes and influencing how cells behave. Our research looks at how different types of RNAworks in senescent cells: how it behaves, how it is regulated, and how it may contribute to aging. By better understanding these mechanisms, we hope to find new ways to promote healthy aging and possibly reduce the impact of age-related diseases.
PhD. She is the principal investigator of the RNA and Senescence group at CIMA-Universidad de Navarra. Her research focused on identifying the role of RNA in cellular senescence in cancer and aging.