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The Effect of Aging on Tissues01:19

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...
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A Phenotyping Regimen for Genetically Modified Mice Used to Study Genes Implicated in Human Diseases of Aging
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A Phenotyping Regimen for Genetically Modified Mice Used to Study Genes Implicated in Human Diseases of Aging

Published on: July 14, 2016

Ageing as a risk factor for disease.

Teresa Niccoli1, Linda Partridge

  • 1Institute of Healthy Ageing, Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, Darwin Building, Gower St, London WC1E 6BT, UK.

Current Biology : CB
|September 15, 2012
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Ageing, a primary risk factor for major diseases, evolves through conserved mechanisms. Interventions targeting nutrient-sensing pathways and cellular processes like autophagy show promise for extending healthy lifespan.

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Last Updated: May 18, 2026

A Phenotyping Regimen for Genetically Modified Mice Used to Study Genes Implicated in Human Diseases of Aging
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Methods to Study Changes in Inherent Protein Aggregation with Age in Caenorhabditis elegans
11:57

Methods to Study Changes in Inherent Protein Aggregation with Age in Caenorhabditis elegans

Published on: November 26, 2017

Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary biology
  • Gerontology
  • Molecular biology

Background:

  • Ageing is the primary risk factor for major diseases in developed nations, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, and neurodegeneration.
  • The evolutionary trajectory of ageing is influenced by declining natural selection and trade-offs between early-life fitness and later-life health.
  • Previously considered an inevitable accumulation of damage, ageing mechanisms are now understood to be evolutionarily conserved.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the evolutionary basis of ageing.
  • To examine conserved molecular mechanisms influencing ageing and lifespan.
  • To discuss the links between ageing mechanisms and age-related diseases.

Main Methods:

  • Review of evolutionary theories of ageing.
  • Analysis of conserved molecular pathways involved in aging, including nutrient-sensing pathways (insulin/IGF/TOR), mitochondrial activity, genome maintenance, and autophagy.
  • Discussion of experimental evidence from model organisms (yeast, invertebrates, mice) and potential human relevance.

Main Results:

  • Nutrient-sensing pathways, such as the insulin/insulin-like growth factor/Target of Rapamycin (TOR) network, show conserved roles in lifespan regulation; reduced activity can extend healthy lifespan.
  • Mitochondrial activity is implicated in promoting ageing, while mechanisms promoting cellular repair and waste removal, like genome maintenance and autophagy, confer protection.
  • Ageing is influenced by evolutionarily conserved pathways, not solely by lineage-specific damage accumulation.

Conclusions:

  • Ageing is driven by conserved evolutionary mechanisms that can be modulated by interventions.
  • Targeting nutrient-sensing pathways, mitochondrial function, genome stability, and autophagy presents opportunities for promoting healthy ageing and combating age-related diseases.
  • Understanding these conserved mechanisms offers a scientific framework for addressing age-related diseases and improving human healthspan.