Brain researchers off to head start in age-old quest(2)

"We want to know the mechanism behind the different life spans among species: One species dies at about 35 years of age while other species can live to 100 years," Khaitovich says.

"So if we can find the mechanism that controls this we can make humans age slower. Although humans will still suffer from aging, it would only happen after they reached 200 years or more."

His team are devoted to him and recognize his expertise.

"Philipp has all the characteristics I have seen in any successful group leader," says Sam Linsen, a 31-year-old postdoctoral fellow, who has worked with Khaitovich for two years.

"Problems on the working floor may seem complicated, but when Philipp watches over your shoulder you hear a solution that you never thought of.

"I appreciate his willingness and readiness to put short-term benefits aside and invest in long-term goals."

"I have been working here for more than five years, and I would say Philipp is half-boss and half-friend," He Liu says. "He is vastly experienced and yet allows his students freedom."

The PhD student will graduate in 2013, and he hopes to stay in the research group after graduation.

Khaitovich received his PhD in biology science at the University of Illinois, and he worked at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Germany as a researcher for seven years.

Khaitovich believes that the CAS-MPG Partner Institute for Computational Biology offers an excellent opportunity to do independent research and to start a new group.

"It is a challenge, and it is also good experience. I am lucky to have truly excellent people in my group. Without them, I will not be able to do anything."

His experience enabled him to collaborate with scientists and other institutes globally.

Khaitovich enjoys a modest life in Shanghai. He lives with his Chinese wife, also a scientist, and they are looking forward to a new member of the family.

"I think she is much smarter than me. But that does not mean our child will be smart. Because, as our research finds, smartness is not only due to genetics but also to education and the environment."