How does Resveratrol affect immune cells according to his research?

His research on Jurkat T-cells showed that Resveratrol blocks the expression of Interleukin-2 (IL-2). This indicates it acts as an anti-inflammatory agent that stops T-cells from being overstimulated.

What did Dr. Valenzuela discover about Cycloastragenol?

His lab found that Cycloastragenol (derived from Astragalus) increases telomerase activity. This extends T-cell proliferation and helps cells resist aging.

Dr. Hector Valenzuela, Ph.D.

Q: What is the Cellular Clock Dr. Valenzuela studies?

Dr. Valenzuela studies telomeres. These are the protective tips of chromosomes that act as a cellular clock. They shorten every time a cell divides and eventually cause the cell to stop growing.

Fletcher Jones Chair in Molecular Biology & Scientific Researcher

Immunosenescence
Telomere Biology
Longevity
Resveratrol
TA-65
Curcumin
Molecular Biology

Dr. Hector Valenzuela, Ph.D.

Fletcher Jones Chair in Molecular Biology & Chief Science Officer

About Dr. Valenzuela's Research

Dr. Hector Valenzuela ("Dr. V") is a distinguished expert in Immunosenescence (immune system aging) and Telomere Biology. He currently serves as the Fletcher Jones Chair in Molecular Biology and Department Chair at Whittier College.

Holding a Ph.D. in Experimental Pathology from UCLA, Dr. Valenzuela completed his Postdoctoral Fellowship in Cancer Cell Biology funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). His research focuses on the mechanisms of T-cell aging and the potential of natural compounds to alter the aging rate of cells. At RevGenetics, he ensures every product is backed by rigorous, peer-reviewed science.

View Dr. Valenzuela's Full Research Library

Key Scientific Contributions

1. Measuring the "Clock": The TRF Assay

Dr. Valenzuela helped develop a refined version of the "Terminal Restriction Fragment (TRF) Assay." This method removed the error-prone blotting steps of older techniques, allowing researchers to measure telomere length faster and more directly.

2. Immunosenescence & Alzheimer's

His work demonstrated that telomere shortening in T-cells is not just a sign of aging but correlates with disease status. Specifically, he identified links between T-cell aging and Alzheimer's disease.

3. Divergent T-Cell Aging

He found that memory T-cells specifically lose "telomerase inducibility" (the ability to repair themselves) after repeated stimulation. This loss of repair capacity, alongside the decline of the CD28 marker, explains why the immune system weakens in the elderly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the "Cellular Clock" Dr. Valenzuela studies?

The "clock" refers to telomeres. Dr. Valenzuela compares these to the plastic tips on shoelaces. These DNA sequences protect chromosomes from unravelling. Every time a cell divides, the telomere shortens slightly, eventually causing the cell to stop dividing.

What did his lab discover about Resveratrol?

Using Jurkat cell lines to model T-cells, Dr. Valenzuela found that Resveratrol blocks the expression of Interleukin-2 (IL-2). Since IL-2 signals T-cells to proliferate, blocking it suggests Resveratrol acts as a dampener, reducing inflammation and preventing immune cells from becoming exhausted.

How does Cycloastragenol aid the immune system?

While Resveratrol helps with inflammation, Dr. Valenzuela found that Cycloastragenol (TA-65) works on the "clock" itself. His research showed it extends T-cell proliferation by increasing telomerase activity, effectively hitting the "emergency brake" on the aging process inside the cell.

What is Dr. Valenzuela's role at RevGenetics?

Dr. Valenzuela is the Chief Science Officer (CSO). He holds this position while working as an active academic researcher. This dual role ensures RevGenetics products are supported by rigorous science.