Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 21, 2026
08:46
Studying Age-dependent Genomic Instability using the S. cerevisiae Chronological Lifespan Model
Published on: September 29, 2011
Integrating evolutionary and molecular genetics of aging
1Institut für Populationsgenetik, Veterinärmedizinische Universität Wien, Josef Baumann Gasse 1, A-1210 Wien, Austria. thomas.flatt@vu-wien.ac.at
Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta
|July 22, 2009
Summary
Organisms age due to natural selection
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary Biology
- Molecular Genetics
- Biogerontology
Background:
- Aging, or senescence, is an age-dependent decline in physiological function, leading to decreased survival and reproduction.
- Evolutionary theory posits aging evolves because natural selection is inefficient at maintaining function late in life.
- While molecular genetics has identified longevity genes, evolutionary genetics of aging has stalled.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the need for integrating molecular and evolutionary approaches to address unresolved questions in aging research.
- To explore the universality of aging, species-specific aging rates, and the conservation of aging mechanisms.
- To investigate the role of longevity genes in natural populations and the genetic basis of adaptive aging plasticity.
Main Methods:
- This study is a theoretical review and synthesis, advocating for integrated research methodologies.
- It proposes combining molecular biology tools with an evolutionary framework for aging research.
- It calls for empirical studies on gene selection in natural populations and the adaptive significance of aging plasticity.
Main Results:
- Unresolved questions in aging, such as universality, rate variation, and genetic basis, require a combined molecular and evolutionary perspective.
- Integrating molecular biogerontology and evolutionary biology is crucial for advancing the field.
- This synthesis will elucidate mechanisms of aging, trade-offs between early fitness and lifespan, and adaptive plasticity.
Conclusions:
- A synthesis of molecular and evolutionary approaches is essential for a comprehensive understanding of aging.
- Evolutionary biologists need to adopt molecular tools, and molecular biologists must incorporate evolutionary frameworks.
- This integrated approach will unlock key insights into the fundamental processes and evolution of aging.
Related Concept Videos
01:37Mitochondria
Mitochondria are eukaryotic cellular organelles that are known to produce energy through a process called oxidative phosphorylation. Besides their primary function, mitochondria are involved in various cellular processes, including cell growth, differentiation, signaling, metabolism, and senescence. Age-related changes cause a decline in mitochondrial quality and integrity due to increased mitochondrial mutations and oxidative damage. Thus, aging can severely impact mitochondrial functions,...
01:26Aging
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...
02:59Animal Mitochondrial Genetics
Among all the organelles in an animal cell, only mitochondria have their own independent genomes. Animal mitochondrial DNA is a double-stranded, closed-circular molecule with around 20,000 base pairs. Mitochondrial DNA is unique in that one of its two strands, the heavy, or H, -strand is guanine rich, whereas the complementary strand is cytosine rich and called the light, or L, -strand. Compared to nuclear DNA, mitochondrial DNA has a very low percentage of non-coding regions and is marked by...
01:19The 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...
01:24Evolution of New Traits in Microbes
Microorganisms evolve rapidly due to their large population sizes and short generation times, often exhibiting measurable changes within days under laboratory conditions. Natural selection acts on standing genetic variation, enabling the retention and amplification of beneficial traits that confer fitness advantages in changing environments.Adaptive Pigment Regulation in RhodobacterIn Rhodobacter, a genus of purple non-sulfur bacteria, light-harvesting pigments such as bacteriochlorophyll and...
02:54Evolutionary Relationships through Genome Comparisons
Genome comparison is one of the excellent ways to interpret the evolutionary relationships between organisms. The basic principle of genome comparison is that if two species share a common feature, it is likely encoded by the DNA sequence conserved between both species. The advent of genome sequencing technologies in the late 20th century enabled scientists to understand the concept of conservation of domains between species and helped them to deduce evolutionary relationships across diverse...