Laboratory Summary Report: 2010

Winter Quarter

1. First DNA extraction of O and B flies using a QPCR kit. Samples were sent to Illumina for sequencing.
2. Started testing a resveratrol analog, Pine Bark extract, on “B” flies at the recommendation of Dr. Spindler at UCR. We tested varying doses of Pine Bark extract alone and in combination with Uridine, which is our negative control.

Spring Quarter

1. Our Gen5 experiment tested 3 doses of Pine Bark using the new non-yeast drug delivery system.
2. The low dose of Pine Bark demonstrated a minor increase in longevity.
3. Because of ease of use and reduction of background statistical noise, we decided that all substance testing going forward will use the new non-yeast drug delivery system.
4. Our Gen6 experiment was the first comparative mortality assay of the B (27 days), O, and SO flies. SO lifespan (69 days) was found to not be significantly longer than the O flies (67 days) after 2 years of continued selective breeding.

Summer Quarter

1. In our Gen7 experiment, we tested an early version of MX-100 for the first time.
2. We found that MX-100 increased the lifespan of our Wild-Type B flies by about 16%.

Fall Quarter

1. In our Gen8 experiment, our lab tested a new formulation of MX-100 containing more astragalus extract, the lead active component.
2. MX-100 increased the lifespan of the B flies by about 65% in this experiment, and a late-life plateau was observed with about 10% of the population remaining.