Following up on the Workshop
During the annual meeting, the theme groups split up to discuss the future work, interests and potential projects of their group. Read the summaries below.
Big Data and Population Aging:
In the workshop for Big data and population aging we discussed how to move forward with the selection of biopsies that we have retrieved from the pathological archives. We discussed making biological age clocks, and the extension of that; estimating time left to live (biological residual age estimation). We discussed stains and machine learning, proteomics and other molecular assessment we could work on.
Life-Course, Mental Health and Aging:
At the workshop for the theme group for Life-course, Mental health and Aging we presented ongoing and future research including studies on quality of life and cognitive decline. Furthermore, we used a word-cloud tool to assess the primary research interests (within mental health and aging) of the group members. Both results from our ongoing research, the word-cloud and future plans were presented for the other theme groups together with a description of our research group “Epidemiological Developmental Psychology”.
University-Hospital-Clinical Academic Groups:
We discussed the possibility of having a future center for aging research to be started from the clinical side addressing important clinical disease questions and to follow the trajectories of individuals at high risk for especially musculo-skeletal and neurological diseases, together with multi-pharmacy, and to follow individuals with early onset of disease. From this we will include basic science researchers that target these questions.
EpiCPH:
During the workshop in epigenetics, the participants were asked to think about key research questions within the field of epigenetics and aging. All ideas were written down, put on a wall and clustered different areas of research. Two research areas were chosen and the participants divided in two groups. Under lively discussions, the groups each generated mock grant applications, where the What, How and Impact were highlighted. At the end of the workshop, the groups presented their grant application idea in plenum and the audience provided questions and feedback.
Biology of Aging and Lifestyle
During the group workshop, we discussed about potential collaborations to address common questions including: How can epigenetic changes explain aging related disorders? And with regards to lifestyle, how can diet/physical exercise/ pesticide exposure affect aging (ALS, PD, AD), and does the type of exercise matter (neuronal health, cognitive activity)? Understanding sex differences in brain aging trajectories was also discussed, as well as the role of the blood brain barrier in the onset of neurodegenerative diseases.