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Identifying the genomic determinants of aging and longevity in human population studies: Progress and challenges
Author(s) -
Deelen Joris,
Beekman Marian,
Capri Miriam,
Franceschi Claudio,
Slagboom P. Eline
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
bioessays
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.175
H-Index - 184
eISSN - 1521-1878
pISSN - 0265-9247
DOI - 10.1002/bies.201200148
Subject(s) - longevity , biology , epigenetics , epigenomics , computational biology , human genome , population , successful aging , genetics , genome , identification (biology) , genomics , evolutionary biology , gene , gerontology , dna methylation , medicine , gene expression , botany , environmental health
Human lifespan variation is mainly determined by environmental factors, whereas the genetic contribution is 25–30% and expected to be polygenic. Two complementary fields go hand in hand in order to unravel the mechanisms of biological aging: genomic and biomarker research. Explorative and candidate gene studies of the human genome by genetic, transcriptomic, and epigenomic approaches have resulted in the identification of a limited number of interesting positive linkage regions, genes, and pathways that contribute to lifespan variation. The possibilities to further exploit these findings are rapidly increasing through the use of novel technologies, such as next‐generation sequencing. Genomic research is progressively being integrated with biomarker studies on aging, including the application of (noninvasive) deep phenotyping and omics data – generated using novel technologies – in a wealth of studies in human populations. Hence, these studies may assist in obtaining a more holistic perspective on the role of the genome in aging and lifespan regulation. Editor's suggested further reading in BioEssays: On the cause of aging and control of lifespan Abstract The free‐radical theory of ageing – older, wiser and still alive Abstract Longevity and the long arm of epigenetics: Acquired parental marks influence lifespan across several generations Abstract The mystery of C. elegans aging: An emerging role for fat Abstract