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Assistant Professor in the Departments of Genetics, Pathology, and Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge
Alex Cagan is Assistant Professor in the Departments of Genetics, Pathology, and Veterinary Medicine at the University of Cambridge. His research seeks to understand how the mutations that accumulate in the DNA of our cells over time contribute to ageing and age-associated diseases. By leveraging the diverse lifespans that exist across species, his team investigates the fundamental mechanisms of ageing. To perform this research his group works with a range of international partners, using laser-capture microscopy and ultra-accurate genome sequencing to study how the DNA in our cells accumulate mutations as we age. These studies are providing insights into the fundamental mechanisms of ageing, which remain poorly understood. In particular, they are investigating whether species with longer lifespans possess superior DNA repair mechanisms that could inform strategies to enhance healthy aging in humans.
Additionally, his group examines how mutational processes impact reproductive health and fertility as humans age. Given the global trend for delayed parenthood this is of growing importance. Their work highlights the under-researched area of paternal age and its association with developmental disorders.
Finally, they are exploring how different environmental factors, such as exposure to pollutants, can alter the DNA in our cells, accelerating the ageing process and increasing our susceptibility to disease. Overall the group's research aims to inform interventions that could promote healthy aging.
Before joining the University of Cambridge, Alex worked at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, UK. He received his PhD in Evolutionary Genomics from the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Germany.