Of birds and bees: membrane lipids and the determination of maximum lifespan [ 2008 - 2010 ]

Research Grant

Researchers Prof AJ Hulbert; A/Prof WA Buttemer

Brief description The underlying mechanisms that determine why different animals have different maximum lifespans are unknown. Why do queen bees live for years but the genetically-identical workers bees live for only weeks? Similarly, to understand why birds live much longer than similar-sized mammals will give immense insight into the processes that cause ageing. Understanding the aging process in animals will have significant implications for human health as the biggest risk factor for most diseases is age. Such understanding will help to cope with the worldwide problems of an aging population.

Funding Amount $265,000

Funding Scheme Discovery Projects