Buck Institute for Age Research
Encyclopedia
The Buck Institute for Research on Aging is the United States
' first independent biomedical research institute devoted solely to research on aging
and age-related disease
. The mission of the Buck Institute is to extend the healthspan, the healthy years of life.
The Institute, a nonprofit organization located in Novato, California
, began its research program in 1999. It is named for Marin County philanthropists Leonard and Beryl Buck, whose estate funded the generous endowment that helped establish the Institute, and the Buck Trust currently contributes approximately $6 million annually to support the Institute's work. In May 2007, the Institute established a cooperative agreement with the University of California
's Davis and Merced campuses to coordinate stem-cell research, a move hailed by UC as a collaboration that "strengthens California's leadership in stem cell research and moves it forward in an efficient, safe and cost-effective manner."
The Institute was designed by architect I.M. Pei who submitted an unsolicited proposal to design the research facility.
Interdisciplinary research at the Buck Institute is supported by "technology cores" which include genomics
, proteomics
and mass spectrometry
, morphology
, transgenics, and bioinformatics
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
' first independent biomedical research institute devoted solely to research on aging
Gerontology
Gerontology is the study of the social, psychological and biological aspects of aging...
and age-related disease
Geriatrics
Geriatrics is a sub-specialty of internal medicine and family medicine that focuses on health care of elderly people. It aims to promote health by preventing and treating diseases and disabilities in older adults. There is no set age at which patients may be under the care of a geriatrician, or...
. The mission of the Buck Institute is to extend the healthspan, the healthy years of life.
The Institute, a nonprofit organization located in Novato, California
Novato, California
Novato is a city located in the North Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area, in northern Marin County. Novato is located about north-northwest of San Rafael, at an elevation of 30 feet above sea level . The 2010 U.S. Census estimated the city population to be about 51,904. Novato is about ...
, began its research program in 1999. It is named for Marin County philanthropists Leonard and Beryl Buck, whose estate funded the generous endowment that helped establish the Institute, and the Buck Trust currently contributes approximately $6 million annually to support the Institute's work. In May 2007, the Institute established a cooperative agreement with the University of California
University of California
The University of California is a public university system in the U.S. state of California. Under the California Master Plan for Higher Education, the University of California is a part of the state's three-tier public higher education system, which also includes the California State University...
's Davis and Merced campuses to coordinate stem-cell research, a move hailed by UC as a collaboration that "strengthens California's leadership in stem cell research and moves it forward in an efficient, safe and cost-effective manner."
The Institute was designed by architect I.M. Pei who submitted an unsolicited proposal to design the research facility.
Research themes
- Basic mechanisms of aging utilizing research modelsAnimal modelAn animal model is a living, non-human animal used during the research and investigation of human disease, for the purpose of better understanding the disease without the added risk of causing harm to an actual human being during the process...
of yeastYeastYeasts are eukaryotic micro-organisms classified in the kingdom Fungi, with 1,500 species currently described estimated to be only 1% of all fungal species. Most reproduce asexually by mitosis, and many do so by an asymmetric division process called budding...
, nematode worms, fruit flies and mice - Age-associated conditions, among them Huntington's DiseaseHuntington's diseaseHuntington's disease, chorea, or disorder , is a neurodegenerative genetic disorder that affects muscle coordination and leads to cognitive decline and dementia. It typically becomes noticeable in middle age. HD is the most common genetic cause of abnormal involuntary writhing movements called chorea...
, cancerCancerCancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
, arthritisArthritisArthritis is a form of joint disorder that involves inflammation of one or more joints....
, strokeStrokeA stroke, previously known medically as a cerebrovascular accident , is the rapidly developing loss of brain function due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. This can be due to ischemia caused by blockage , or a hemorrhage...
, Alzheimer's diseaseAlzheimer's diseaseAlzheimer's disease also known in medical literature as Alzheimer disease is the most common form of dementia. There is no cure for the disease, which worsens as it progresses, and eventually leads to death...
and Parkinson's diseaseParkinson's diseaseParkinson's disease is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system... - Stem cell and regenerative medicineRegenerative medicineRegenerative medicine is the "process of replacing or regenerating human cells, tissues or organs to restore orestablish normal function". This field holds the promise of regenerating damaged tissues and organs in the body by replacing damaged tissue and/or by stimulating the body's own repair...
Interdisciplinary research at the Buck Institute is supported by "technology cores" which include genomics
Genomics
Genomics is a discipline in genetics concerning the study of the genomes of organisms. The field includes intensive efforts to determine the entire DNA sequence of organisms and fine-scale genetic mapping efforts. The field also includes studies of intragenomic phenomena such as heterosis,...
, proteomics
Proteomics
Proteomics is the large-scale study of proteins, particularly their structures and functions. Proteins are vital parts of living organisms, as they are the main components of the physiological metabolic pathways of cells. The term "proteomics" was first coined in 1997 to make an analogy with...
and mass spectrometry
Mass spectrometry
Mass spectrometry is an analytical technique that measures the mass-to-charge ratio of charged particles.It is used for determining masses of particles, for determining the elemental composition of a sample or molecule, and for elucidating the chemical structures of molecules, such as peptides and...
, morphology
Morphology (biology)
In biology, morphology is a branch of bioscience dealing with the study of the form and structure of organisms and their specific structural features....
, transgenics, and bioinformatics
Bioinformatics
Bioinformatics is the application of computer science and information technology to the field of biology and medicine. Bioinformatics deals with algorithms, databases and information systems, web technologies, artificial intelligence and soft computing, information and computation theory, software...
.