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Updated: Jan 12, 2026
Characterization of Amyloid Structures in Aging C. Elegans Using Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging
Published on: March 27, 2020
Fluorescence lifetime clocks quantify senescence and aging
Chenxu Yan1, Caiqi Liu1, Bofang Liu2
1Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, Institute of Fine Chemicals, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China.
Researchers developed a new method using fluorescent dyes to visually track aging in real-time within living organisms. This innovative approach offers a non-invasive way to measure biological age and cellular senescence.
Area of Science:
- Aging biology
- Molecular biology
- Biophysics
Background:
- Epigenetic and omics-based clocks are crucial for quantifying aging but lack real-time, in vivo applications.
- Nucleolar ribosomal DNA methylation changes correlate with aging and cellular senescence.
- Existing methods require extensive sample preparation, limiting real-time analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an image-based clock for real-time, in vivo age quantification.
- To leverage shifts in rRNA species for age assessment.
- To create a non-invasive method for measuring biological age and senescence.
Main Methods:
- Engineered sensitive and photostable hybrid polymethine dyes selective for rRNA.
- Developed a fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIm) strategy.
- Applied FLIm to quantify age- and senescence-dependent nucleolar RNA changes.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated the ability to generate image-based clocks using selective rRNA dyes.
- Achieved real-time, in vivo age quantification without extensive sample preparation.
- Showcased translatability across cellular, tissue, and organismal scales (C. elegans, mice, human samples).
Conclusions:
- Fluorescence lifetime imaging of rRNA provides a novel, in vivo method for measuring aging and senescence.
- This strategy expands the research toolbox for aging biology and translational studies.
- Enables direct visualization and quantification of age-related molecular changes in living systems.
