Meet Cynthia Kenyon
Dr. Cynthia Jane Kenyon
Vice President of Aging Research at Calico Life Sciences
Dr. Cynthia Jane Kenyon, born on February 21, 1954, in Chicago, Illinois, is a pioneering molecular biologist renowned for her transformative research on the genetic regulation of aging. Her landmark 1993 discovery demonstrated that a single-gene mutation in Caenorhabditis elegans could double the organism's lifespan, fundamentally shifting scientific perspectives on aging as a malleable, genetically controlled process. Currently, Dr. Kenyon serves as the Vice President of Aging Research at Calico Life Sciences, a biotechnology company dedicated to understanding the biology of aging and developing interventions for age-related diseases.
Areas of Expertise
Primary Expertise
Molecular Biology of Aging
Genetics of Longevity
Developmental Biology
Research Interests
Hormonal and Genetic Regulation of Aging
Insulin/IGF-1 Signaling Pathways in Lifespan Extension
Neuronal and Germline Influence on Aging Processes
Role of Autophagy in Longevity
Epigenetic Factors Affecting Aging
Academic Credentials
Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Georgia, 1976 (Graduated Valedictorian)
Doctor of Philosophy in Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), 1981
Professional Affiliations
Vice President of Aging Research, Calico Life Sciences
Emeritus Professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
Member, National Academy of Sciences (Elected 2003)
Member, American Academy of Arts and Sciences (Elected 1997)
Former President, Genetics Society of America (2003)
PROFESSIONAL JOURNEY
Dr. Kenyon's illustrious career commenced with her doctoral research at MIT, where she demonstrated that DNA-damaging agents activate a suite of DNA repair genes in E. coli. Her postdoctoral work with Sydney Brenner at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge focused on the developmental genetics of C. elegans. This led to the discovery that homeobox genes, known for their role in Drosophila development, are also active in nematodes. In 1986, she joined UCSF, ascending to the role of Herbert Boyer Distinguished Professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics. In 2014, Dr. Kenyon transitioned to Calico Life Sciences to spearhead aging research initiatives.
Major Contributions
Discovery of Lifespan-Extending Gene Mutations: Identified that mutations in the daf-2 gene can double the lifespan of C. elegans, revealing that aging is subject to genetic regulation.
Elucidation of Hormonal Influence on Aging: Demonstrated that insulin/IGF-1 signaling pathways play a crucial role in regulating aging and longevity.
Neuronal and Germline Control of Lifespan: Discovered that specific neurons and reproductive cells can influence the overall aging process of an organism.
Role of Autophagy in Dietary Restriction-Mediated Longevity: Uncovered that autophagy genes are essential for lifespan extension resulting from dietary restriction in C. elegans.
Identification of Genes Linking Longevity and Tumor Resistance: Found that certain genes can extend lifespan and suppress tumor growth, suggesting a shared genetic basis for aging and cancer resistance.
Detailed Information on Dr. Russel Reiter
Research Techniques
Genetic Manipulation in Model Organisms: Utilizing C. elegans to study gene function related to aging.
Molecular Biology Techniques: Gene expression analysis and molecular cloning.
Developmental Biology Methods: Investigating morphogenetic processes in nematodes.
RNA Interference (RNAi): Silencing specific genes to study their functions.
Lifespan Assays: Assessing the effects of genetic and environmental factors on organismal longevity.
Notable Works
Publications:
Kenyon, C. (2010). The genetics of ageing. Nature, 464(7288), 504–512. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature08980
Kenyon, C., Chang, J., Gensch, E., Rudner, A., & Tabtiang, R. (1993). A C. elegans mutant that lives twice as long as wild type. Nature, 366(6454), 461–464. https://doi.org/10.1038/366461a0
Hansen, M., Chandra, A., Mitic, L. L., Onken, B., Driscoll, M., & Kenyon, C. (2008). A role for autophagy genes in the extension of lifespan by dietary restriction in C. elegans. PLoS Genetics, 4(2), e24. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgen.0040024
Pinkston, J. M., Garigan, D., Hansen, M., & Kenyon, C. (2006). Mutations that increase the life span of C. elegans inhibit tumor growth. Science, 313(5789), 971–975. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1121908
Contact Information
Calico Life Sciences – Professional Profile: https://www.calicolabs.com/people/cynthia-kenyon
UCSF Faculty Profile (Emeritus Status): https://profiles.ucsf.edu/cynthia.kenyon
Public Speaking and Media Inquiries: While Dr. Kenyon does not list a personal email publicly, professional inquiries may be directed through her institutional affiliations:
Calico General Contact: info@calicolabs.com
UCSF Media Relations: news@ucsf.edu