About Us

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Welcome to the Epigenomics of Aging Laboratory! (Epi Aging Lab, for short). We are a dynamic research team at the Center for Aging Research in Mexico, dedicated to unlocking the secrets of aging.

By focusing on epigenomics and epitranscriptomics –the study of how genes and their messages are regulated– we aim to uncover the mechanisms that drive cellular aging and contribute to the advancement of precision medicine.

Dive deeper into our research, meet our team, explore our latest publications, and discover the lab protocols we use. We invite scientists, students, and curious minds alike to explore our website.

If you are interested in collaborating with us, joining our team or simply discussing exciting science, don’t hesitate to contact us.

TL;DR

We investigate how our genes and their RNA messages are controlled to understand why we develop age-related diseases like cancer and diabetes. We are seeking innovative ways to improve early detection and treatment of these conditions, with the goal of advancing precision medicine.

Who we are

The Epi Aging Lab is a team of passionate scientists led by David Valle-Garcia, PhD.

We are based at the Center for Aging Research (CIE) at Cinvestav South Campus in Mexico City.

CIE is an innovative institution focused on making basic and translational biomedical research on aging. Know more about our center in the video bellow (in Spanish).

What we do

Imagine your body as a complex city. Every cell is like a tiny building with specific jobs. To function properly, these buildings require clear instructions. That’s where your DNA comes in. Think of it as the city’s blueprint, containing all the information needed to build and run each building.

But aging is like a slow storm. Over time, the blueprint can get damaged or misread, leading to problems in the city. Our job is to understand how this happens and find ways to repair the damage.

We focus on the hidden world inside our cells, investigating how genes (parts of the DNA blueprint) and their messages (RNA copies of the blueprint) are turned on and off –research areas called epigenetics & epitranscriptomics–. These tiny switches control how our bodies age and develop diseases. By understanding these switches, we hope to discover new ways to improve health and extend our healthy lifespan.

We also explore how to use artificial intelligence to analyze the complex epigenomic and epitranscriptomic patterns in aging organisms. This helps us understand the early signs of aging and disease, which could lead to better prevention and treatment options.

To learn more about our specific projects, visit our research section.

What is epigenetics?

Think of your DNA as a vast library filled with books. Each book is a gene that contains instructions for building a specific part of your body. For the library to function correctly, it must be tidy and organized. Cells add bookmarks or sticky notes to their books to know which book to read and when. The study of these marks is called epigenetics. Sometimes, these bookmarks can get misplaced or damaged, leading to problems in your body. We study how these bookmarks change as we age and how to keep them in order.

Epigenetics vs Epigenomics: What’s the difference?

Both epigenetics and epigenomics explore how internal and external factors influence gene activity. However, they differ in their scope and approach. Classic epigenetics traditionally focuses on studying the regulatory mechanisms of individual genes in detail. It aims to deeply understand how specific genes are turned on or off. Epigenomics, on the other hand, takes a broader view. It examines the epigenetic landscape of entire genomes, analyzing hundreds or even thousands of genes simultaneously to identify global patterns. This allows us to see the bigger picture of how gene regulation changes in age-related diseases.

While both fields are crucial for understanding aging and other biological processes, our lab believes that epigenomics provides a more holistic perspective. This comprehensive approach can reveal complex interactions and ultimately contribute to the development of precision medicine strategies.

What is epitranscriptomics?

Your DNA is like a vast library, filled with thousands of books containing the instructions for building proteins. When cells need to make a specific protein, they create RNA copies of the relevant book. These RNA copies are akin to recipes, and just as you might annotate a recipe with notes or highlights, cells can add tiny chemical tags (modifications) to their RNA copies. These modifications can change how RNA is used, influencing everything from gene expression to cell function. Epitranscriptomics is the study of these RNA modifications. By understanding how they work, we can learn more about how cells function in healthy aging and age-related diseases.

Contact us

If you are interested in collaborating with us, inviting us to a science communication event or simply discussing exciting science, don’t hesitate to contact us.

Please, send an email to David Valle-Garcia:

If you are a student interested in joining our lab, include a brief statement of research interests, your Curriculum Vitae and 2-3 references.

Make sure to include an informative subject! We’ll get in touch as soon as possible.