Understanding the causes of ageing and ensuring that we remain healthy for a long time in the last stage of life - these are the goals of the Cluster of Excellence for Ageing Research CECAD. The research also produces fascinating microscopic images. Photos: Martin Höhne, Eva Wiesner, Hyun Ju Lee, Mirka Ulirova, Sara Wickström, Parisa Kakanj
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The yellow-colored kidney cells of a fruit fly larva wrap around the orange-colored intestine like a garland. The so-called podocytes are important for filtering the blood in both small insects and humans.
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Podocytes in the mouse. The cells help to form the filter barrier in our kidneys and prevent important substances from being lost from the blood plasma into the urine. With increasing age, damage to the podocytes accumulates and kidney diseases can develop.
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These nerve cells (green with blue cell nucleus) were created in the laboratory from human pluripotent stem cells. They can develop into any other type of body cell. This makes them an important building block for better understanding and treating diseases.
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A wafer-thin, enlarged slice of a fruit fly larva, from which the antenna and other structures of the head develop. Understanding this development also helps to investigate how the tissue decays with age.
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Epithelia of Drosophila larval wings. The epithelial tissue forms the covering tissue in multicellular organisms, for example in our skin. Its function declines with age.
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Hair falls out and grows back. But the older you get, the less hair remains on your head. CECAD scientists* discovered that hair replenishment depends on the metabolism of the stem cells of the hair roots, with the protein Rictor playing a key role.
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Macrophages are cells of the innate immune system and have several cell nuclei (pink). This improves their functions: They are immediately on the spot in the event of injuries and inflammation. They also help with tissue regeneration, which is no longer as successful in old age.
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Using a hole in the cell of a fruit fly larva, which was created using a laser, researchers are investigating the wound healing process. It is essential for the body to close wounds quickly. However, healing is impaired in age-related diseases such as diabetes.
