Marquette biological sciences professor receives $1.1 million NSF subaward as part of research team studying aging differences between females and males

MILWAUKEE — Dr. Tony Gamble, associate professor of biological sciences in Marquette University’s Klingler College of Arts and Sciences, has been awarded a $1.1 million subaward from the National Science Foundation as part of a research team, “Integration Institute: Sex, Aging, Genomics, and Evolution (IISAGE),” led by colleagues at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) to better understand aging differences between females and males.

The award, which has an expected value of $12.5 million over five years, will establish the IISAGE Biology Integration Institute and use an interdisciplinary approach to define the rules that govern how sex differences in aging arise and evolve. IISAGE engages investigators from around the country, including Marquette, UAB, Brown University, Cornell University, Michigan State University, University of Houston, University of Kansas and University of Maryland.

“These Biology Integration Institutes are interdisciplinary teams of scientists investigating a particular topic across multiple levels of biological organization, from molecules to cells up to individual organisms and ecosystems. The institutes also train future scientists for careers in a world where science is increasingly interdisciplinary. I’m excited to be included in the institute where I have an outstanding team of collaborators and can move my research in a new direction investigating sex differences in aging”

Gamble’s research will focus on the ways that genetic differences between males and females, such as sex chromosomes, impact aging and lifespan. He will also study how repeatable, fixed, and/or easily altered sex-specific mechanisms of aging and lifespan are across animals.

“This subaward is thrilling recognition of the reputation of Dr. Gamble and his lab with regards to evolutionary biology,” said Dr. Heidi Bostic, dean of the Klinger College of Arts and Sciences. “While his research has been primarily with snakes and lizards, this project could have some interesting insights in the future for humans.”

UAB announced the award in September with principal investigator, Dr. Nicole Riddle, associate professor of biology at UAB, explaining IISAGE plans to develop predictive models through novel analysis tools and hundreds of matched datasets profiling gene expression to determine how genome architecture, organismal biology and phenotypic plasticity generate differences in aging. Ultimately, she said, it may help researchers identify ways to potentially control differences in aging between females and males.

Gamble’s lab at Marquette investigates the developmental and evolutionary processes that generate biological diversity with an emphasis on the evolution of sex chromosomes and sex determining mechanisms. Gamble was a recipient of a $1.17 million grant from the National Science Foundation in August to study sex chromosome evolution in lizards and snakes

About Marquette University

Marquette University is a Catholic, Jesuit university located near the heart of downtown Milwaukee that offers a comprehensive range of majors in 11 nationally and internationally recognized colleges and schools. Through the formation of hearts and minds, Marquette prepares our 11,100 undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and professional students to lead, excel and serve as agents of positive change. And, we deliver results. Ranked in the top 20% of national universities, Marquette is recognized for its undergraduate teaching, innovation and career preparation as the sixth-best university in the country for job placement. Our focus on student success and immersive, personalized learning experiences encourages students to think critically and engage with the world around them. When students graduate with a Marquette degree, they are truly prepared and called to Be The Difference.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.