Download the AXA Paris Descartes project file


On Wednesday October 7, 2009, the AXA Research Fund, in collaboration with the Université Paris Descartes, inaugurated the AXA-Paris Descartes Chair in "A systems approach to individual differences in longevity".

Convinced that basic research is essential to advancing knowledge, the AXA Group, via the AXA Research Fund, is providing support to the scientific community to develop cutting-edge research that will provide a clearer understanding of the challenges posed by the increase in lifespan.

Endowed with €1,250,000 for a five-year period, the AXA-Paris Descartes Chair in "A systems approach to individual differences in longevity" aims to train a new generation of researchers with a scientific understanding of a longer lifespan, approached from a multidisciplinary point of view. Indeed, the major innovation of this Chair resides in the multidisciplinary approach it proposes, which to date is unique in the world.

The holders of the Chair, Linda Partridge,Thomas Kirkwood, François Taddei and James Vaupel, have different scientific backgrounds:demographics, genetics, nutrition, biology, etc. This diversity of approaches should make it possible to study accurately the numerous parameters that affect the longevity of an individual.
By providing its support for this Chair, the AXA Research Fund hopes it will offer researchers the resources necessary to advance knowledge on the mechanisms of ageing.

AXA-Paris Descartes Chair Press kit : in english / in french


François Taddei, Annette Baudisch, Linda Partridge, Thomas Kirkwood

After the official launch at Axa's headquarters, a two days conference at the CRI was organized between the chairholders' teams to start interacting.

AXA-Paris Descartes Chair meetings : 7-9 October 2009 program


James Vaupel and François Taddei, at the CRI.

Contact : François Taddei
tél + 33 44 41 25 22