The team is convinced that their results are also applicable to other polymer systems, and they suspect that the limitation of key resources may play an important part in
regulating other cellular processes.
Izpisua Belmonte added that more extensive studies will be needed to fully understand the role of heterochromatin disorganization in aging, including how it interacts
with other cellular processes implicated in aging, such as shortening of the end of chromosomes, known as telomeres.
«The flexibility of this system means it can be adapted to
explore other cellular processes while minimally interfering with other physiological or biological functions.»
But with age, the balance tips, as mitochondria and
other cellular processes produce excess free radicals and the body's antioxidant defenses can't keep up, Rossman said.
The laboratory's interest is the stress response and the interplay between DNA repair and
other cellular processes including transcription and chromatin remodeling, and is focused on elucidating the function and mechanochemistry of DNA - based motors using a combination of biochemical, biophysical and structural techniques.
The NIH Common Fund's Library of Integrated Network - based Cellular Signatures (LINCS) program aims to create a network - based understanding of biology by cataloging changes in gene expression and
other cellular processes that occur when cells are exposed to a variety of perturbing agents.