Biological Basis of Aging and Related Diseases_3rd Edition

The "Biological Basis of Ageing and related Diseases" is an interdisciplinary course that explores the fundamental biological mechanisms that underlie ageing and its associated diseases. It is designed to provide MSc and PhD students with an integrated understanding of the biological mechanisms underlying ageing and their relationship with age-related diseases.

The programme brings together researchers from several CIVIS universities and provides students with an international learning environment that promotes collaboration, networking and the exchange of ideas across disciplines. By integrating theoretical knowledge with practical experience, BIOAGING prepares participants to address current scientific and societal challenges associated with population ageing.

During the virtual component, participants engage in mini-lectures, scientific discussions, case studies and collaborative learning activities. The physical mobility complements this training through practical workshops, data analysis, teamwork and scientific communication.

The participants will:

• understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying ageing;
• explore how ageing affects different organs, systems and physiological functions;
• examine the biological basis of major age-related diseases, including cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, neurodegenerative disorders and cancer;
• develop practical research skills through experimental activities, data analysis and scientific discussion;
• strengthen critical thinking by analysing scientific literature and interpreting experimental results;
• improve scientific communication, teamwork and international networking in an interdisciplinary European environment.

The course is organised around six key scientific questions that guide students through the biology of ageing:

• Why is ageing one of the biggest challenges of our society? The ageing society, demographic transition, healthy ageing and societal challenges.
• Why do we age? Evolutionary theories of ageing, longevity pathways, genetics and environmental determinants.
• What happens inside ageing cells? Cellular senescence, inflammageing, mitochondrial dysfunction, metabolism, epigenetics and cell communication.
• How does ageing affect different organs? Brain, cardiovascular, kidney and musculoskeletal ageing, pain and functional decline.
• Why does ageing promote age-related diseases? Cancer, neurodegeneration and other major age-related diseases.
• How can we intervene to promote healthy ageing? Biomarkers, precision medicine, nutrition, gerotherapeutics and future therapeutic strategies.

Hands-on Workshops and BIOAGING Student Symposium

During the physical mobility, students will work in small international groups during a series of hands-on workshops, applying experimental techniques, analysing biological data and discussing scientific questions related to ageing.

The programme will conclude with the BIOAGING Student Symposium, where each group will present and discuss the results of their collaborative work.

Final Project

Participants will work in international teams on a topic related to the Biological Basis of Ageing and Age-related Diseases. They will:

• review the scientific literature on the selected topic;
• critically analyse and discuss the available evidence;
• prepare a short scientific report (maximum 5 pages);
• present their work orally during the BIOAGING Student Symposium.

This interdisciplinary programme equips participants with the knowledge and skills needed to understand the biology of ageing and to address the major health challenges associated with an ageing population.

At the end of the programme, the participants will be able to:

• understand the biological basis of ageing and its impact on society;
• explain the main cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying ageing;
• describe how ageing affects different organs, physiological systems and body functions;
• understand the biological basis of the major age-related diseases;
• analyse and discuss scientific data related to ageing and age-related diseases;
• apply critical thinking and communicate scientific information effectively;
• work collaboratively in an international and interdisciplinary environment, strengthening teamwork and networking skills.

The physical mobility will take place over five days and will combine keynote mini-lectures, hands-on workshops, collaborative learning, scientific discussions and networking activities.

Building on the knowledge acquired during the virtual component, students will work in teams to explore experimental approaches used in ageing research. Through practical activities, data analysis and scientific discussions, participants will strengthen their technical, analytical and communication skills while developing their Final Research Project.

Monday - Understanding Cellular Senescence

• welcome session, programme overview, introductory mini-lecture, formation of  teams and introduction to the hands-on workshop;
• become familiar with the programme, the experimental approaches and collaborative working groups.

Tuesday - Experimental Models of Ageing

• mini-lecture, hands-on workshops using experimental models and laboratory-based activities; scientific discussions with the lecturers;
• understand the strengths and limitations of the main experimental models used in ageing research

Wednesday - From Data to Biological Insight

• bioinformatics, image analysis, data interpretation and group discussions;
• analyse and interpret experimental results using different analytical approaches.

Thursday - From Discovery to Translation

• integration of experimental findings, collaborative work, preparation of the Final Research Project and scientific communication activities;
• integrate experimental data into a biological and translational context while preparing the final presentation.

Friday - BIOAGING Student Symposium

• group presentations, scientific discussion, feedback, programme evaluation and closing ceremony;
• develop scientific communication, critical thinking and teamwork skills through the presentation of collaborative projects.

Hands-on workshops

Depending on the facilities and expertise of the host institution, the practical workshops may include topics such as:

• cellular senescence and ageing biomarkers;
• microscopy and image analysis;
• bioinformatics and omics data analysis;
• cellular metabolism and functional assays;
• experimental models of ageing;
• scientific data interpretation and critical analysis.

Throughout the week, students will work collaboratively in international teams, integrating knowledge from the virtual component with practical experience and interdisciplinary problem-solving.

The virtual component consists of 16 interactive online sessions (1.5 hours each) delivered over eight weeks before the physical mobility.

The programme is organised around six key scientific questions that guide students through the biology of ageing, from the fundamental mechanisms of ageing to age-related diseases and current strategies to promote healthy ageing.

The virtual sessions combine mini-lectures with active learning activities, including scientific paper discussions, clinical and research case studies, experimental data interpretation, quizzes and small-group discussions. This interactive approach encourages critical thinking, teamwork and scientific communication while preparing students for the hands-on workshops and collaborative activities during the physical mobility.

The 16 virtual sessions will take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 15:00 to 16:30 CET, between 16 February and 15 April 2027.

Proposed programme and preliminary schedule (changes may still occur):

• 16 February 2027: The Ageing Society
• 18 February 2027: Ageing in Today's Society
• 23 February 2027: The Evolution and Biology of Ageing
• 25 February 2027: Mechanisms Regulating Lifespan
• 02 March 2027: Genetics and Environmental Determinants of Ageing
• 04 March 2027: Cellular Senescence
• 09 March 2027: Inflammageing and Immune Ageing
• 11 March 2027: Mitochondria, Oxidative Stress and Metabolism
• 16 March 2027: Epigenetics, Cell Communication and the Microbiome
• 18 March 2027: Brain Ageing
• 30 March 2027: Cardiovascular and Kidney Ageing
• 01 April 2027: Muscle Ageing, Pain and Functional Decline
• 06 April 2027: Cancer and Ageing
• 08 April 2027: Neurodegeneration and Other Age-related Diseases
• 13 April 2027: Biomarkers and Precision Medicine
• 15 April 2027: Interventions for Healthy Ageing

Teaching methodology

The virtual sessions are designed as highly interactive learning experiences. Each session begins with a short mini-lecture (20–30 minutes) introducing the key concepts, followed by active learning activities such as scientific paper discussions, data interpretation, clinical and research case studies, quizzes and small-group work.

This approach promotes critical thinking, teamwork, scientific communication and collaborative learning while preparing students for the hands-on workshops, experimental activities and interdisciplinary teamwork during the physical mobility.

Students are required to attend at least 80% of both the virtual and physical activities to be eligible for assessment.

The virtual component and the physical component will each contribute 35% to the final grade, while the Final Research Project will account for the remaining 30%.

Virtual component (35%)

• active participation in the online sessions and scientific discussions;
• contribution to group activities and collaborative learning;
• completion of quizzes and other learning activities.

Physical component (35%)

• active participation in the hands-on workshops and practical activities;
• engagement in data analysis, scientific discussions and teamwork;
• attendance and active participation throughout the physical mobility.

Final Research Project (30%)

• preparation of a group scientific report (maximum 5 pages);
• oral presentation of the project during the BIOAGING Student Symposium;
• assessment of scientific quality, critical analysis, teamwork and communication skills.

Motivation Letter

Level of english (According to CEFR)

CV

Applications will be evaluated according to:

• the applicant's academic background and its suitability for the programme;
• the required level of English proficiency;
• the expected impact of the programme on the applicant's academic and professional development;
• the applicant's motivation and commitment to actively participate in all components of the programme, including both the virtual and physical mobility.

Professors:

• Prof. Paul Shiels - expert in geroscience, School of Molecular Biosciences & School of Cancer Sciences - University of Glasgow, UK
• Prof. Günter Lepperdinger - expert in geroscience, Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences, Division of Genetics, Department of Cell Biology - Paris Lodron University of Salzburg, Austria.
• Prof. Colin Selman - expert in biogerontology, School of Molecular Biosciences & School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine - University of Glasgow, UK
• Prof. Concepcion Peiró - expert in vascular inflammageing and vascular cell senescence, Faculty of Medicine (dept. Pharmacology) - Universidad Autonoma de Madrid, Spain
• Prof. Maria Isabel Sánchez Pérez - expert in biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine - Universidad Autonoma de Madrid, Spain
• Dr. Ognian Neytchev - expert in epigenetic clocks, School of Molecular Biosciences - University of Glasgow, UK
• Prof. Violeta Ristoiu - expert in neuro-immune interactions, Faculty of Biology - University of Bucharest, Romania
• Prof. Stephane Baudry - expert in motor control during ageing, Faculty of Human Movement Sciences - Université Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium
• Prof. Emilie Combet (Glasgow) - expert in nutritional biology and diseases of ageing, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Nursing - University of Glasgow, UK
• Prof. Peter Stenvinkel (Sweden) - expert in metabolic, cardiovascular and nutritional complications in chronic kidney disease, Karolinska University Hospital, Sweden
• Prof. Manuela García López - expert in pharmacology and neurodegenerative diseases Faculty of Pharmacology - Universidad Autonoma de Madrid, Spain
• Prof. Adoración Gomez Quiroga - expert on Drug synthesis, Faculty of Sciences (dept. of Inorganic Chemistry) - Universidad Autonoma de Madrid, Spain
• Assoc. Prof. Florentina Pluteanu - expert in cardiovascular physiology and electrophysiological recordings, Faculty of Biology - University of Bucharest, Romania

Contributors:

• Prof. Leon Schurgers - expert in vascular remodelling, Department of Biochemistry -  University of Maastricht, The Netherlands
• Prof. Luis del Peso Ovalle - expert in bioinformatic, Faculty of Medicine - Universidad Autonoma de Madrid, Spain
  
• Prof. Auxiliadora Graciani - expert in epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine - Universidad Autonoma de Madrid, Spain

Blended Intensive Programme

This CIVIS course is a Blended Intensive Programme (BIP): a new format of Erasmus+ mobility which combines online teaching with a short trip to another campus to learn alongside students and professors across Europe.

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