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Updated: Nov 17, 2025
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Gene-Environment Interactions and Stochastic Variations in the Gero-Exposome
Caleb E Finch1,2, Amin Haghani3
1Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA.
Summary
Gene-environment interactions significantly influence lifespan, especially across the entire life course. Understanding these complex gene-environment-time interactions is key to aging research.
Area of Science:
- Biogerontology
- Genetics
- Environmental Science
Background:
- Human lifespan heritability is limited, indicating a substantial role for gene-environment interactions.
- Aging phenotypes are influenced by multilevel interactions across the lifespan (T).
Purpose of the Study:
- To conceptualize multilevel gene-environment-time interactions in aging phenotypes within the Gero-Exposome framework.
- To analyze the complexity of aging phenotypes as tripartite interactions involving gene, environment, and stochastic variations.
Main Methods:
- Conceptualizing the Gero-Exposome with exogenous and endogenous domains.
- Analyzing stochastic variations in aging phenotypes using examples from Caenorhabditis elegans and somatic cells.
- Utilizing single-cell analyses to explore gene-environment-time interactions.
Main Results:
- Stochastic variations in the endogenous domain contribute to the diversity of aging phenotypes.
- Phenotypic complexities in aging can be understood as 3-way interactions: gene, environment, and stochastic variations.
- Single-cell analyses offer novel tools for biogerontology research.
Conclusions:
- Gene-environment-time interactions are crucial for understanding aging diversity.
- The Tripartite Phenotype of Aging framework provides a model for analyzing complex aging phenotypes.
- Advanced analytical tools like single-cell analysis are essential for future biogerontology research.
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