William Kim

Science Research – Period 4

Mrs. Flanagan

Figure 1: Number of people age 65 and over, by age group, selected years 1900-2006 and projected 2010-2050

Need

Figure 2: Life expectancy at ages 65 and 85, by sex, selected years 1900-2004

Need

Knowledge Base

http://www.mayday-info.dk/715.0.html

Knowledge Base

http://www.imsc.res.in/~sitabhra/research/neural/celegans/celegans.gif

http://shirleywho.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/c-elegans_esa.jpg

Fig. 3 Blueberry polyphenols extend lifespan and slow aging in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Literature Review

Wilson et. al. 2006

Literature Review

James Joseph (2007-2009) Tested and still testing fruit polyphenols

and their effects on aging and the brain Tested effects of blackberries,

blueberries, strawberries, plum juice, and other berry fruits

PurposeTherefore the purpose of this experiment is to test the ability of blueberries, blackberries, and other berries in the prolonging of lifespan in C. elegans.

HypothesisNull Hypothesis: The blueberries, etc. will have no effect in prolonging the lifespan of C. elegans.

Alternate Hypothesis: The blueberries, etc. will have a significant effect in prolonging the lifespan of C. elegans.

Polyphenols and Aging Methodology

Caenorhabditis elegansShort lifespan of about 2-3 weeks, rapid generation time, and experiemental flexibilty

Control GroupSample Size = 25Not fed C. elegans medium with blueberry and other polyphenols

Experimental GroupSample Size = 25Fed crude blueberry extract (Vaccinium angustifolium) or a C18 column fraction containing bulk polyphenols in their medium

MeasurementAverage pumping rate of pharynx contraction is recorded at days 8 and 10 of C. elegans life with the use of Motic Plus Camera attached to a stereo microscope.

Statistical AnalysisStatistical analysis by T-test, p<.05, will be used to determine if the collected data is significant.

Protocols for Measurement Commercially prepared single strength wild

blueberry juice (Vaccinium angustifolium) applied to a preconditioned C18 Column

C18 column washed with water to remove fructose, glucose, and organic acids of blueberries, then with 100% methanol to obtain the total polyphenolic fraction

http://www.waters.com/waters/partDetail.htm?locale=101&partNumber=WAT066224

http://www.abnativeplants.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/plants.plantdetail/plant_ID/17/index.htm

Protocols for Measurement

Lifespan scoring was initiated after hermaphrodites completed their final larval molt, on the first day of adulthood

Blueberry extracts were added to NGM agar plates of C. elegans on the first day of the lifespan assay

Pharynx contraction rate recorded with Motic Plus camera attached to a stereomicroscope