Speaker: Dr David Weinkove, Associate Professor in the Department of Biosciences, University of Durham, will present seminar entitled: Understanding the roles of bacterial folate, animal folate and folic acid supplements using the nematode C. elegans

Host: Lindsay Hall

Abstract:

The nematode worm C. elegans is an established model to study ageing. An accidental finding revealed that inhibiting folate synthesis in E. coli, which is used to feed the worm, increased lifespan substantially. Further research revealed that excessive bacteria folate synthesis acted in the microbe to accelerate worm ageing. Along the way we have found out more about animal folate polyglutamation, and that folic acid supplements can have negative effects via interactions with E. coli. I will also discuss how we have developed new technology to address remaining questions and further understand gut human bacteria.

All staff from organisations on the Research Park are welcome to attend.