Peter Askjær
Biologist and principal investigator
Andalusian Center for Developmental Biology, Seville, Spain
Biography
The nuclear envelope protects and regulates the cell’s genetic material, ensuring proper chromosome organization and gene transcription in a tissue-specific manner. Although all cells share the same genes, they express different subsets at varying levels. My group at the Andalusian Centre for Developmental Biology investigates the role of the nuclear envelope in these processes and its links to development, disease, and aging. Using Caenorhabditis elegans, we’ve shown that nuclear morphology becomes irregular in old individuals, resembling changes observed in human progeria syndromes. We discovered that a mutation in Barrier to Autointegration Factor (BAF) disrupts gene expression, potentially leading to premature aging. This work highlights how nuclear envelope dysfunction drives aging-related processes. We also identified genes as potential drug targets for future therapeutic research, emphasizing the importance of nuclear organization in maintaining cellular health and longevity.
