Center for Reproductive Longevity and Equality

Exploring the critical relationship between reproductive function and aging.

While aging research is seeing unprecedented acceleration, how and why women undergo a decline in reproductive function with age is understudied. Thanks to a significant gift from Nicole Shanahan, the Buck has established the Center for Reproductive Longevity and Equality (CRLE). This is the first facility anywhere in the world focused solely on reproductive longevity and equality as it relates to aging and ending the threat of age-related disease.

Our goal is to conduct basic research to understand the mechanisms of female reproductive aging and develop strategies to prevent or delay ovarian aging. The end of fertility sets off a cascade of negative health effects in women’s bodies that impact bone, cognitive, cardiovascular and immune function. We want to understand why human women undergo a decline in fertility (menopause), why it varies between individuals, and why it correlates with life span. We think that understanding the limits on mammalian female reproductive capacity may provide important clues about aging in other tissues, as many hallmarks of aging are shared between somatic cells and oocytes. We collaborate with research groups around the world and promote open access data sharing.

  • Jennifer Garrison, PhD  Assistant Professor

    Garrison lab page

  • Francesca Duncan, PhD  Assistant Professor in Residence

    Duncan website

  • Polina Lishko, PhD  Adjunct Associate Professor

    Lishko website

  • Eric Verdin, MD  Professor, President and CEO of Buck Institute

    Verdin lab page

  • Deena Emera, PhD  Senior Scientist and Writer in Residence

    Dr. Emera’s CV

  • Bikem Soygur Kaya  Reproductive Biology Hub Director

    bsoygurkaya@buckinstitute.org

  • Mouse oocytes differentiate through organelle enrichment from sister cyst germ cells

    Lei Lei, PhD
    View article

  • Bipotent stem cells support the cyclical regeneration of endometrial epithelium of the murine uterus

    Shiying Jin, PhD
    View article

  • Ovulation and ovarian wound healing are impaired with advanced reproductive age

    Francesca Duncan, PhD
    View article

Cynthia Curtice
Administrative Coordinator
CCurtice@buckinstitute.org
Phone: 415-209-2001

Extending the age of healthy female fertility

What If Fertility Didn't Have a Shelf Life?

Women Are Having Kids Later. Longevity Scientists to the Rescue?

Don’t count on having kids if you freeze your eggs

How female reproduction, longevity could be linked is focus of new Buck Institute for Research on Aging center

Buck Institute donor tackles equality through fertility

$6 Million Gift Creates Center for Female Reproductive Longevity

Can We Turn Back Time on Women’s Biological Clocks?

View all

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