Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 31, 2026

08:25
Collecting Saliva and Measuring Salivary Cortisol and Alpha-amylase in Frail Community Residing Older Adults via Family Caregivers
Published on: December 18, 2013
Developing a research agenda in biogerontology: physiological systems.
Jill L Carrington1, Francis L Bellino
1Biology of Aging Program, National Institute on Aging, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. carringtonj@nia.nih.gov
Science of Aging Knowledge Environment : SAGE KE
|June 30, 2006
Summary
The Biology of Aging Program (BAP) funds research into cell aging, genetics, and tissue dysfunction. This work provides new insights to improve health in older individuals.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology and cellular biology research.
- Focus on the biological processes underlying aging.
Background:
- The National Institute on Aging's Biology of Aging Program (BAP) supports diverse aging research.
- Key areas include cellular senescence, apoptosis, and genetic factors in aging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe research approaches in aging physiological systems.
- To outline BAP's efforts in supporting and enhancing aging research.
- To highlight insights gained from understanding aging and tissue dysfunction.
Main Methods:
- Support for research on cell senescence and apoptosis.
- Investigation of genetic influences on the aging process.
- Analysis of how aging impacts tissue function.
Main Results:
- Identification of key biological processes involved in aging.
- Understanding of genetic contributions to aging.
- Elucidation of the relationship between aging and tissue dysfunction.
Conclusions:
- Research supported by BAP yields critical insights into aging.
- Understanding aging mechanisms can lead to improved health outcomes for the elderly.
- Continued support for aging research is vital for public health.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Longitudinal Research
Sometimes we want to see how people change over time, as in studies of human development and lifespan. When we test the same group of individuals repeatedly over an extended period of time, we are conducting longitudinal research. Longitudinal research is a research design in which data-gathering is administered repeatedly over an extended period of time. For example, we may survey a group of individuals about their dietary habits at age 20, retest them a decade later at age 30, and then again...
Whole Body Regeneration
Regeneration is the process of restoring injured or lost tissues, organs, or body parts. While simpler organisms generally show greater ability to regenerate their whole body, few complex animals show similarly exceptional regeneration. For example, planarian flatworms have a unique regenerative potential making them a popular study organism among biologists to understand the mechanisms of whole body regeneration. Other organisms, such as hydra, also show extreme regeneration potential; even...
The Effect of Aging on Tissues
Several body functions deteriorate with age. The external signs of aging are easily identifiable. For example, the skin becomes dry, less elastic, and thins out, forming wrinkles. The skin of the face begins to appear looser due to a decrease in the levels of elastic and collagen fibers in the connective tissue. Additionally, melanin production in the hair follicle decreases with age, resulting in gray hair. Moreover, the senses of sight and hearing decline, so glasses and hearing aids may...
Physiological Barriers
Physiological barriers are semi-permeable cellular structures restricting drug diffusion into intracellular compartments and tissues. There are six types of physiological barriers: blood endothelial, cell membrane, blood-brain, blood-cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), blood-placenta, and blood-testis barriers.
The blood endothelial barrier is the most porous of these. It allows all small ionized, un-ionized, and lipophilic molecules to pass through the endothelial lining into the interstitial space...
The blood endothelial barrier is the most porous of these. It allows all small ionized, un-ionized, and lipophilic molecules to pass through the endothelial lining into the interstitial space...
Clearance Models: Physiological Models
Drug clearance is a critical pharmacokinetic process involving the irreversible removal of drugs from the body through various organs over a specified time period. Physiological models are indispensable in determining organ-specific clearance, defined by the proportion of the drug eliminated per unit of time from the organ's blood volume.
The organ's clearance rate depends on the blood flow to the organ and the extraction ratio (E). The extraction ratio describes the organ's proficiency in drug...
The organ's clearance rate depends on the blood flow to the organ and the extraction ratio (E). The extraction ratio describes the organ's proficiency in drug...
Aging
Aging is a complex biological phenomenon influenced by various processes that affect cellular and systemic functions. Several prominent theories attempt to explain its mechanisms, highlighting cellular limitations, oxidative damage, and hormonal changes as central factors in aging.
Cellular Clock Theory
The cellular clock theory posits that the human lifespan is closely tied to the finite capacity of cells to divide, a phenomenon governed by telomeres, which are protective caps at the ends of...
Cellular Clock Theory
The cellular clock theory posits that the human lifespan is closely tied to the finite capacity of cells to divide, a phenomenon governed by telomeres, which are protective caps at the ends of...

