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Aging by the clock and yet without a program
David H Meyer1,2, Alexei A Maklakov3, Björn Schumacher4,5
1Institute for Genome Stability in Ageing and Disease, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany. david.meyer@uni-koeln.de.
Nature Aging
|September 18, 2025
Summary
Aging clocks do not indicate a biological program but reflect accumulated molecular damage and errors. Understanding this stochastic process is key to developing interventions for healthy aging.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Molecular Biology
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- The precise causes of aging are debated, with recent aging clocks fueling theories of a biological aging program.
- Natural selection wanes after reproduction, potentially allowing cellular deterioration without a specific program.
Purpose of the Study:
- To argue that aging clocks reflect stochastic damage rather than an intrinsic aging program.
- To explore the role of molecular errors and damage in the aging process.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of arguments surrounding aging clocks and biological aging programs.
- Cross-species comparative analysis focusing on DNA repair capacity and longevity.
- Theoretical framework integrating molecular damage, entropy, and aging.
Main Results:
- Aging clocks are interpreted as indicators of accumulated molecular errors and damage, not a programmed process.
- Insufficient maintenance and repair contribute to system-wide entropy and aging.
- Enhanced DNA repair capacity correlates with exceptional longevity across mammalian species.
Conclusions:
- Aging is likely driven by the stochastic accumulation of molecular damage, not a predetermined biological program.
- Understanding the stochastic nature of aging provides a basis for developing interventions to promote healthy aging.
- Targeting molecular repair mechanisms could be crucial for geroprotective strategies.
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