By Patrick Sherry
Rui Xiao, Ph.D., an Associate Professor at the Department of Physiology and Aging, studies the universal biological process of aging. With its complexity, Dr. Xiao is interested in studying how the process influences genetics and sensory systems in humans.
Aging impacts all life, yet there is limited understanding of the mechanisms that drive it and how the process impacts other biological systems. In an effort to facilitate scientific progress, Dr. Xiao examines the interactions between genetic and environmental factors in the context of aging at a molecular level.
“Aging is such a fundamental biological process – nearly every species ages,” said Xiao. “The fundamental biology of aging is very conserved from species to species, that’s why we can use [them] to gain very useful insights.”
Initially, Dr. Xiao’s research began by studying temperature-sensitive ion channels and how it tells organisms their ambient temperature. However, through work with cold-blooded species, he learned more about a common phenomenon that colder temperatures extend the life span of these organisms. Interest in this led to inquiring how genetics might play a role and overall pursuing research into aging. In fact, further investigation showed that a specific cold-sensitive ion channel can significantly promote longevity in life – continuing curiosity in this topic. Moreover, this eventually led to research into the impact of other sensory processes on aging , which was complemented by previous research that show sensory ion channels and receptors translating various environmental cues into longevity output. For example, smell and taste play important roles in both nutrient sensing and dietary modulation of aging.
To uncover the inner workings of these processes in aging, C. elegans, a nematode with a short lifespan, is used in the Xiao lab and many other aging research labs around the world. This species specifically has been responsible for several groundbreaking discoveries in the field of genetics, including RNA interference and microRNA, apoptosis, and the genetics of aging. The insightful use of C. elegans is also complemented by recent revolutionary advances in genetic technologies such as CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing and whole genome sequencing. With these tools, Dr. Xiao is able to isolate mutant animals that disrupt the function of aging-related genes.
“Science is largely driven by the development of new technology,” said Xiao. “These days if you want to get a mutant, you can directly target that gene using CRISPR-cas9 for gene editing in various animal species fairly easily. This has significantly improved the efficiency of our research.”
With aging being so ubiquitous and captivating, the prospect of learning more about this universal process is largely what inspires Dr. Xiao to continue researching it. Further discoveries might lead to a better understanding and treatment of many aging-related diseases.
“Many people think aging is a natural process, but there are some people who consider aging as a disease,” said Xiao. “I think it’s a natural process, but it can be greatly modulated by genetics and environment. It is affected by many signaling pathways and many genes – it’s a very complex process.”
Whether it is considered a disease or a natural process, the opportunity for collaboration with others in different fields, recognition through publishing research, and the mentorship of undergraduate, graduate, and postdoc students also play a pivotal role in Dr. Xiao’s goal of further scientific research.
“Publishing in top journals, that’s an achievement many will feel happy about,” said Xiao. “ When your graduate students graduate with multiple publications, and then they go to a top research lab for postdocs or when they find a nice job either in the academia or industry, that is also a very good experience!”
Overall, Dr. Xiao emphasizes that while aging is a natural biological occurrence, the beauty of biology has also provided model organisms that are essential to scientific discoveries and understanding of how these processes work across species. Nature provides the tools needed to uncover all its fascinating complexities.
“I hope people appreciate the beauty of genetic model organisms,” said Xiao. “A lot of original and important discoveries were made in all kinds of genetic model organisms, particularly yeast, C. elegans, and Drosophila. The importance and contributions of these genetic model systems have significantly deepened our current understanding of biology.”