Work

The Essence of Aging

Year: 2015

Type: article

Abstract: The idea that aging is a purposeful, programmed series of events is intuitively appealing based on its many conserved aspects and the demonstrated feasibility of modifying life span by manipulating single genes or pathways. Yet, the case for a nonadaptive basis of aging is strong and now all but generally accepted in the field. Here, we briefly review why the case for programmed aging is weak, with a focus on the lack of possible evolutionary beneficial effects.

Source: Gerontology

DOI: 10.1159/000439348

Authors: Jan Vijg, Brian K. Kennedy

Institutions: Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Buck Institute for Research on Aging

Language: English

Topic: Genetics, Aging, and Longevity in Model Organisms

Subfield: Aging

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funders: Ellison Medical Foundation, National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Aging

Awards: System approaches to determine mechanisms underlying yeast replicative aging, DNA Repair, Mutations and Cellular Aging