The Arkansas Integrative Metabolic Research Center (AIMRC) will host Dr. Adam Konopka, Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine, Division of Geriatrics and Gerontology at U. Wisconsin-Madison at 12:55 p.m. on Wednesday, March 27, in GEAR 108. During his talk, Dr. Konopka will discuss studies that explore the mechanistic basis by which leading geroprotective drugs, rapamycin, and metformin, impact aging metabolism and the health benefits of exercise.

Abstract: Physical activity and several pharmacological approaches individually combat age-associated conditions and can extend healthy longevity. It currently remains unknown if pharmacological approaches to extend lifespan in animals can be translated to humans. Further, while it is tantalizing to extrapolate that combining geroprotective drugs with exercise could extend healthy longevity beyond any individual treatment, the current dogma suggests that taking leading geroprotective drugs on the same day as exercise may limit several health benefits. In this seminar, Dr. Konopka will discuss studies that explore the mechanistic basis by which leading geroprotective drugs, rapamycin, and metformin, impact aging metabolism and the health benefits of exercise.

Biography: Dr. Konopka is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine, Division of Geriatrics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The overall theme of Dr. Konopka’s laboratory is to use a translational research approach to understand the pathogenesis and treatment of aging and age-related diseases. Dr. Konopka’s laboratory uses both model systems and performs clinical trials to understand the mechanistic basis by which leading geroprotective drugs and/or exercise promote healthy aging with an emphasis on skeletal muscle metabolism and osteoarthritis.

This event is supported by NIGMS of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number P20GM139768. The content is solely the authors' responsibility and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

Pizza and beverages will be served. Please contact Kimberley Fuller, fullerk@uark.edu, for more information. For those unable to attend in person, this seminar will also be available via Zoom.