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Welcome to UAB Nathan Shock Center

The UAB Nathan Shock Center of Excellence in the Basic Biology of Aging provides services, resources, consultation, and training for investigators performing research on the basic biology of aging. The Center exists to assist scientists in pursuing research focused on the interplay of aging, comparative biology, and energetics. Its goal is to act as a multiplier to stimulate innovation and increase the success of scientists studying the basic biology of aging.

Our Annual Research Symposium

Hydra

Image of a HydraHydra species, freshwater cnidarians, are one of the few groups of animals with no defined aging. The longest studies to date (~8 years) observed no increase in mortality rate, or decrease in reproductive rate and the mortality rate in those hydra was no different than in a clone that was at least 41 years old. Hydra have no sequestered germline which may contribute to this unusual life history.