MMB8011 : Biology of Ageing
- Offered for Year: 2025/26
- Module Leader(s): Dr Satomi Miwa
- Lecturer: Professor Mary Herbert, Dr Joanna Elson, Professor Thomas von Zglinicki, Professor Viktor Korolchuk, Dr Laura Maringele, Professor Laura Greaves, Professor John Mathers, Professor David Young, Dr Gordon Strathdee, Prof. Thomas Kirkwood
- Owning School: Biomedical, Nutritional and Sports Scien
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
The module aims to:
1. To provide a framework to understand why ageing occurs in almost all organisms and why ageing is particularly slow in humans.
2. To present details of the core mechanisms of ageing as a basis to understand how organisms age.
3. To provide a critical platform to judge the efficacy of potential interventions which include pharmacological, nutritional and physical.
4. To provide a basic background knowledge to understand mechanisms of age-related diseases.
Outline Of Syllabus
This module will provide an overview on current thinking on why ageing is observed in almost all organisms, what factors influence the rate of ageing and the core molecular, cellular and systematic mechanisms of ageing, including discussion of the latest scientific discoveries. The module will also provide essential biological background relevant to a variety of age-related conditions such as neurodegenerative, metabolic, musculoskeletal diseases and cancers.
Contents:
1. Definitions and theory of ageing, including: evolutionary theories, disposable soma theory, oxidative stress theory, hallmarks of ageing.
2. Molecular and cellular mechanisms of ageing, including: protein homeostasis, stem cells, mitochondrial (dys-)function, cellular senescence, epigenetics, extracellular matrix.
3. Systemic mechanisms of ageing, including: immune, hormonal, reproductive systems, gut microbiome.
4. Future of ageing research and anti-ageing interventions.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 40:00 | 40:00 | Preparation and submission of essay |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 30:00 | 30:00 | Preparation of Presentation and Presentation |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 40:00 | 40:00 | Preparation for the examination |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 16 | 1:00 | 16:00 | Present in person (PIP) lecture sessions |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 1 | 1:00 | 1:00 | Present in person (PIP): wk 11 summary/revision session |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 5 | 1:00 | 5:00 | Present in person (PIP) - formative presentations |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 1 | 1:00 | 1:00 | Present in person (PIP): wk 1 introductory session |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 3 | 1:00 | 3:00 | Present in person (PIP): seminar - discussion/journal clubs |
| Guided Independent Study | Reflective learning activity | 1 | 24:00 | 24:00 | Additional Reading and Reflective Learning |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 40:00 | 40:00 | Preparing Notes from Lectures and Reading |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Lectures and lecture material will provide the students with expert presentations of key information and as a platform for private study. Seminars (small group teaching) will build on the lecture materials to help consolidate the information gained and encourage a critical understanding.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written Examination | 60 | 1 | A | 60 | Present in person Examination: Essay, 1 question from 3 |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 1 | M | 40 | 1500 words |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prof skill assessmnt | 1 | M | Oral presentation (15 minutes) |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The in-course written assignment will provide an in depth assessment of a student’s ability to extract essential information from diverse sources, and present a clear, well structured and well supported argument. The formative oral presentation will provide an opportunity for the student to enhance their ability to think on their feet and present ideas. The summative written examination will provide an assessment of broad knowledge and understanding of the biology of ageing.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- MMB8011's Timetable