The Mysteries of Ageing in a Marine Environment Seminar

This talk by Dr Joel Parker will cover theories on the causes of ageing and how these apply to marine environments.  The main question to be explored is whether there are aspects of marine environments that effect ageing differently from what is observed in terrestrial environments. Specific cases of extreme life span in marine organisms will be used to explore this question.

Dr Parker uses non-model and model insect systems to understand ageing. Currently, his lab is using bumblebees to investigate social effects on ageing, and Drosophila to study an antioxidant gene he discovered in ants. He is originally from the US where he earned his undergraduate degree in Biochemistry at the University of Oregon and his doctorate in Biology at Arizona State University. He did his post doctoral training in Switzerland looking into the molecular basis of ageing in extremely long lived ants before joining the University of Southampton where he is now a lecturer at the Centre for Biological Sciences.

Further information

This talk is open to members of the public, staff and students. Admission is free.

Visitors attending the talk should arrive at the National Oceanography Centre Southampton at 7.15pm to be met in Reception.

The National Oceanography Centre Southampton can be reached via Dock Gate 4 (between Town Quay and Ocean Village).

Arrangements for wheelchairs must be made in advance. Unless it is possible to descend via the stairs in an emergency, access to upper floors cannot be permitted as lifts are automatically immobilised when the fire alarm is activated.