UE Ageing and longevity

This course will present the major issues related to the ageing processes and their consequences on longevity, in humans, animals and plants.

The main anatomical, histological, molecular and functional changes will be described in several major organs or systems (cardiovascular, nervous, pulmonary, muscular, immune, ...), together with some of the essential clinical problems of human ageing (fragility of elderly, neurodegenerative diseases, ..).

The role of important actors of the ageing mechanisms, such as telomeres and mitochondria, will be addressed before a final presentation of the principal theories of ageing. Some data about stem cells and their roles will also be presented.