HOUSTON, TX (PRWEB) August 18, 2004 -- Please plan to join us, as we convene our 23rd annual meeting that will be held in Austin, Texas with University of Texas at Austin serving as host institution. Heralding excellent research and technology, University of Texas at Austin’s Geoscience Department is a world class department that has consistently produced some of most influential experts in field of geoscience.

This year’s conference theme “Partnering Our Different Worlds” conveys concept of connectivity of different aspects of geoscience in our society, including Oil & Gas, Environmental Sciences, Academia, Professional Societies, and Governmental Agencies.

Some of highlights include: Keynote Speakers:

Based on research from Massachusetts Institute of Technology(http://web.mit.edu/biology/www/facultyareas/facresearch/guarente.shtml) and Professor Leonard P. Guarante; genetic makeup that rules our individual "time-clocks" can be virtually erased.

* How is this possible? Every person has DNA fragments dubbed telomeres Our telomeres are specifically designed to extend our lives. These telomeres are copied from genetic material in our chromosomes. As mitosis occurs, these telomeres pass to our newly formed cells. As we age, however, our cell information becomes illegible - similar to "...a document that is photocopied too many times..." [1] Once this happens, our cells are depleted of telomeres before our chromosomes are completely corrupted. Without telomeres, our cells no longer have vital information to reproduce themselves. Based on this research, our maximum human lifespan - theoretically - could typically range from 120 to 180 years of age IF we can instruct our genes how to tell our body to lose fat as opposed to storing it.

* So what does fat content have to do with longevity? According to studies which began halfway in 20th century; yeast, worms and lab rats who sustained themselves on brink of starvation lived substantially longer than their well-nourished counterparts. Genetically tied to our personal genepools are WAT (White Adipose Tissue) cells; otherwise known as fat cells, our bodies automatically preserve fat for future unsurities. Aside from starvation ditets, Professor Guarente is optimistic that research will lead to a drug that may bind single protein (Sirt1) (which directs body's ability to store fat in WAT cells) and trick it into thinking that it needs to release fat as opposed to saving it. In this sense, we could - hypothetically speaking - have our cake and eat it too. And perhaps, live to be nearly two centuries old!