The primary interest of our research is the investigation of the basic biology of aging, including the molecular genetic determinants of aging and longevity. Over the past few years our work has concentrated on understanding some of the mechanisms that regulate gene expression during adult life in Drosophila melanogaster. Currently we are involved in screening for genes that are involved in life span determination. Another interest is to investigate the biological determinants of female longevity. Female life spans dependents on her reproductive status. It is our goal to study the contribution reproduction and fertility make toward female longevity.