Welcome to the Pickering Aging Lab

Research Interests: We are interested in biological factors that drive the aging process and interventional strategies to extend lifespan and healthspan. Our lab focuses on the role of proteostasis (or protein regulation) in the aging processes. We use both fruit flies (Drosophila) and mice to interrogate dysregulation of proteostatic regulation during the aging processes and how correction of this dysfunction can slow age-related functional decline.

Some of our research topics include:

1. How dysfunction of the proteasome (major cellular protein degradation system) leads to brain aging.
2. Impairment of the proteasome system in Alzheimer’s disease.
3. Creation of proteasome activators to ameliorate age and Alzheimer’s disease-related deficits.
4. How changes in protein translation alter the aging processes and Alzheimer’s disease.
5. Investigation of novel pathways and factors that drive the aging processes.

UTHealth Houston Geroscience Core: Dr. Pickering directs the Geroscience Core, which is part of the UTHealth Houston Institute on Aging.

The mission of the Geroscience Core is to promote the study of biological processes that drive aging processes and age-related diseases. Core services and resources include the Annual Symposium on Aging Research, Harry E. Bovay, Jr. Foundation Pilot Grants Program to support Aging Research, and the Geroscience Research Resource Core.

For more information either on research by the Pickering Lab or the Geroscience Core please contact Andrew M. Pickering ([email protected])