The role of oxidative stress in C. elegans aging [Elektronische Ressource] / Maike Thamsen

The Role of Oxidative Stress in C. elegans Aging Dissertation Zur Erlangung des Grades Doktor der Naturwissenschaften Am Fachbereich Biologie Der Johannes Gutenberg-Universit ӓt Mainz Maike Thamsen geb. am 4. Nov. 1980 in Rüsselsheim Mainz, 2011 Tag der mündlichen Prüfung: 1. April 2011 Table of Contents TABLE OF CONTENTS INDEX OF FIGURES ................................................................................................. I INDEX OF TABLES .. II CONTRIBUTIONS .................................................................................................. III ABBREVIATIONS.... V ABSTRACT .……………… …………………………………………… ………….…………………VIII 1 OVERVIEW ..................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Introduction ... 1 1.1.1 Why do we age? ......................................... 1 1.1.2 The free radical theory of aging ................................................................................. 2 1.1.2.1 Origin of reactive oxygen species………………………………………………………………....3 1.1.2.2 Damage caused by reactive oxygen species …………….……………………………………4 1.1.2.3 Cellular antioxidant defense …………………………………………………………………………6 1.1.2.4 Studies to test the free radical theory of aging ……………….…………………...………7 1.1.3 C. elegans as model organism for aging research ...................