Stamford Raffles Lecture 2010 - Linda Partridge - The new biology of ageing

We are delighted to announce that Professor Linda Partridge will give the 2010 Stamford Raffles Lecture.

The new biology of ageing

Research into ageing has been rejuvenated by the discovery of mutations in single genes that extend the lifespan of laboratory animals. Furthermore, at least some of the signalling pathways involved, particularly the insulin/Igf-like pathway, have effects on lifespan that are conserved over the large evolutionary distances between nematode worms, fruit flies and mice. An environmental intervention, dietary restriction, also prolongs life in diverse organisms. In all cases there is a prolongation of healthy lifespan, with a broad-spectrum improvement in function during middle and old age, together with delay or amelioration of a range of ageing-related diseases. These findings have led to an intensive wave of research directed at understanding the mechanisms at work.

Biography for Professor Linda Partridge

Professor Linda Partridge has used the model organism Drosophila melanogaster to investigate the evolution of a wide variety of physiological traits involved in adaptation. Her research is directed towards understanding fitness-related traits, particularly ageing and body size, and has brought new insights into how traits influence organisms throughout their lifespans. Linda Partridge holds the Weldon Chair of Biometry and is Director of the UCL Institute of Healthy Ageing. She is also the Founding Director of the Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing in Cologne. She is the recipient of many awards, most recently the Darwin Medal from the Linnean Society, and was awarded a DBE for services to science. Her current research focuses on physiological mechanisms that force organisms to make trade-offs, such as that between high nutrient intake and high reproductive rate, on the one hand, and slow ageing on the other.

This lecture was preceded by the ZSL Scientific Awards presentation ceremony

Please note that this event was part of the 2009-10 ZSL Science and Conservation Events programme

Stamford Raffles Lecture 2010 booking form (434 KB)
ZSL Meeting Rooms layout (24 KB)

Guests are requested to arrive by 6.15pm; the event will begin at 6.30pm prompt and latecomers may not be admitted to avoid disrupting the speaker. A reception will follow and is scheduled between 8.00 and 9.30pm.

All places for the lecture and reception must be booked in advance. Places are limited and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. There will be no individual seat allocations but please see above diagram for Meeting Rooms layout for this event.

Please download booking form for further information.

Booking
Full rate: £20; Student/ZSL Friends and Fellows rate: £15.
Please note that the booking deadline is Friday 11 June 2010.

Become a ZSL member today to register at the discounted rate

Further information: please contact Joy Hayward, Scientific Meetings Coordinator, Zoological Society of London, Regents Park, London NW1 4RY.
Tel:+44 (0)20 7449 6227. Fax: +44 (0)20 7449 6411. E-mail: joy.hayward@zsl.org.

Related links
Details of previous Stamford Raffles Lectures
ZSL Science and Conservation Events
ZSL Scientific Awards
Map showing ZSL Meeting Rooms
Directions to ZSL London Zoo
Information on ZSL membership