Comparison of STR-Based Genetic Diversity Between Young and Elderly Populations and Its Association with...

Background/Objectives: Aging is characterized by genomic instability, reduced biological diversity, and clonal dominance across multiple biological systems. While short tandem repeats (STRs) are traditionally considered neutral genetic markers, emerging evidence raises the possibility that variation in these regions may be examined in relation to broader genomic processes associated with aging. Methods: STR profiles from 400 individuals were analyzed, including 275 young participants aged 21-43 years and 125 elderly participants aged ≥65 years. Genetic diversity was assessed using parameters such as expected heterozygosity (He), individual heterozygosity ratio, and allelic dominance. Additionally, STR loci were mapped to the hg38 reference genome (±100 kb), and nearby genes were annotated with KEGG pathway information to provide exploratory biological context for the investigated loci. Results: No statistically significant differences were observed in heterozygosity or allelic dominance between the young and elderly groups. However, a slight trend toward decreased heterozygosity and increased allelic dominance was noted in the elderly population. Genomic mapping indicated that some STR loci are located in proximity to genes annotated in aging-related pathways; however, this finding is based on genomic proximity and should be interpreted as exploratory. Conclusions: The primary analyses did not demonstrate statistically significant differences in STR-based genetic diversity between the young and elderly groups. The observed trends and genomic proximity findings should therefore be considered exploratory and hypothesis-generating. Validation in larger, independent prospective cohorts and integration with functional genomic data are required before any biological significance can be inferred.