Compressing lifespan through experimental evolution (in C. elegans)
The aim of this work is to identify the biological pathways effecting lifespan in the nematode.
By selecting for the C. elegans which reproduce the fastest, over hundreds of generations, this project aims to answer two major questions. Firstly, what are the evolutionary constraints on development speed. For example, some nematode species, of the same size and complexity, reach sexual maturity in 3 days while others mature only after 3 weeks, with the mechanism and reason for this difference being unclear. Secondly, what is the evolutionary connection between time to sexual maturity and lifespan. Over hundreds of generations, does selecting for a shorter time to sexual maturity necessitate a shorter lifespan, or are these two traits independent of one another.