Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 23, 2026
10:39
A Suppressor Screen for the Characterization of Genetic Links Regulating Chronological Lifespan in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Published on: September 17, 2020
Genomics and successful aging: grounds for renewed optimism?
L C Pilling1, L W Harries, J Powell
1Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK.
Summary
Genomic studies reveal that gene expression regulation, not just coding changes, influences aging and disease risk. Understanding these genetic factors is key to developing new strategies for successful aging.
Area of Science:
- Genetics and Genomics
- Aging Research
- Disease Pathophysiology
Background:
- Successful aging is linked to delaying age-related diseases like heart disease and Alzheimer's.
- These conditions have a genetic component, with many risk-associated single-nucleotide polymorphisms identified.
- However, a significant portion of heritability for these diseases remains unexplained.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review single-nucleotide polymorphisms associated with age-related diseases.
- To identify key biological pathways influenced by these genetic variations.
- To explore the role of gene regulation in aging and disease.
Main Methods:
- Review of genome-wide association studies for age-related diseases.
- Identification of associated single-nucleotide polymorphisms and their functional implications.
- Analysis of gene expression data from human aging studies (e.g., InCHIANTI).
Main Results:
- Most disease-associated single-nucleotide polymorphisms affect gene expression regulation rather than protein coding.
- Evolution of gene regulatory sites is crucial for interspecies differences.
- Changes in gene splicing are implicated in age-related decline of cellular function.
- Expression studies show concordance with animal models for muscle repair and amyloid clearance.
Conclusions:
- The genetic architecture of human aging and related diseases is becoming clearer.
- Insights into pathophysiological pathways are emerging from genomic studies.
- Genomics holds promise for developing novel prevention and treatment strategies to promote successful aging.
More Related Videos
09:10Measuring Single-Cell Aging with an Imaging-based Biomarker of Chromatin and Epigenetic Aging
Published on: January 30, 2026
11:08Combining Magnetic Sorting of Mother Cells and Fluctuation Tests to Analyze Genome Instability During Mitotic Cell Aging in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Published on: October 16, 2014
Related Concept Videos
02:02Genomics
Genomics is the science of genomes: it is the study of all the genetic material of an organism. In humans, the genome consists of information carried in 23 pairs of chromosomes in the nucleus, as well as mitochondrial DNA. In genomics, both coding and non-coding DNA is sequenced and analyzed. Genomics allows a better understanding of all living things, their evolution, and their diversity. It has a myriad of uses: for example, to build phylogenetic trees, to improve productivity and...
01:28Human Genetics
Human genetics provides a profound framework for understanding the interplay between genetic predispositions and human psychology. At the heart of this discipline lies the study of how genes influence physical traits, behaviors, and susceptibility to diseases. Each person carries a unique genetic code that subtly or significantly shapes their psychological and behavioral landscape.
The complex relationship between genetics and psychology is observable through common biological components such...
The complex relationship between genetics and psychology is observable through common biological components such...
03:00Next-generation Sequencing
The first human genome sequencing project cost $2.7 billion and was declared complete in 2003, after 15 years of international cooperation and collaboration between several research teams and funding agencies. Today, with the advent of next-generation sequencing technologies, the cost and time of sequencing a human genome have dropped over 100 fold.
Next-Generation Sequencing Methods
Although all next-generation methods use different technologies, they all share a set of standard features.
Next-Generation Sequencing Methods
Although all next-generation methods use different technologies, they all share a set of standard features.
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...
01:29Pharmacogenomics: Identification of New Drug Targets
Advances in genomics have profoundly influenced drug discovery by increasing both the speed and accuracy of pharmaceutical development. Pharmacogenomics, which examines how genetic variation influences drug response, facilitates the identification of novel therapeutic targets and enables patient stratification for personalized treatment. These strategies contribute to improved drug efficacy, minimized adverse effects, and more efficient clinical trial design.Mapping genetic differences...