Fujian Institute of Gerontology currently focuses on the basic and clinical research on age-related diseases, the molecular mechanism of aging and anti-aging drugs. In recent years the institute has been featured in some scientific studies, including the studies on the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinsonismus and senile dementia, the traditional Chinese medicine herbs, such as ginsenoside monomer and tripchlorolide for the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, the function of the molecular mechanism of oxidative stress in inducing in vitro cell senescence and neuroendocrine regulation in organism aging, and the anti-aging function of ginsenoside Rg1.
During the past 5 years, the institute has participated in the National Basic Research Program of China(973 Program) and the National High-tech Research and Development Program of China(863 Program); meanwhile, the institute has undertaken more than 20 projects supported by National Natural Science Foundation, Fujian Natural Science Foundation, Fujian Provincial Department of Science and Technology, Fujian Medical Innovation Foundation and Scientific Research Foundation of Fujian Provincial Department of Education, etc. In the field of studying traditional Chinese medicine and herbs for the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, the institute now ranks among leading research institutes at both the national and international level. The members of the institute have published more than 80 research articles in domestic and foreign core journals including 15 articles in SCI journals such as Glia, J Alzheimers Dis, and Biochem Pharmacol. Their great achievements also include 3 second prizes and 1 third prize of Fujian Science and Technology Progress Award, 1 first prize of Fujian Medical Science Award and 1 third prize of Chinese Medical Science and Technology Award. The institute is applying for patents for “the new use of ginsenoside Rg1”, and “the new use of tripchlorolide”, two achievements of the senile dementia treatment with the monomer of Chinese herbal ingredients.
The institute is equipped with advanced experimental devices, including ultra low temperature freezer, refrigerated centrifuge, ultraviolet spectrophotometer, gel imaging system, PCR apparatus, ELISA Reader, cell culture incubator, Trans-Blot SD Semi-Dry Transfer Cell, small animal stereotaxic instrument, etc. The equipment is available for relevant studies on cytobiology and molecular biology; thus, the institute provides a good experimental platform for the graduate programs.
