AIM center

A special emphasis is on the role or autophagy in a wide spectrum of diseases with metabolic, inflammatory and immunological aspects.

At the fundamental level, autophagy is a cytoplasmic pathway for the disposal of damaged or surplus organelles such as mitochondria, peroxisomes, lysosomes, endoplasmic reticulum, ribosomes, protein aggregates and also serves as a catabolic process providing nutrients through autodigestion at times of starvation.

The purpose of the AIM center is to promote autophagy research at the international, national and regional levels and to provide resources to communities of scholars interested in this process in any context including basic science or translational research.

The center hosts annual meetings and workshops with national and international reach and impact.

[4] During Phase I, mentored junior faculty whose research projects and development as scientists has been directly supported by funding from the AIM center, have won seven independent R01 grants.