Universal molecular ‘clocks’ of ageing and mortality identified in mammals
Ageing is characterised by the accumulation of cellular damage. Among the biomarkers associated with this process are epigenetic ‘clocks’, which analyse non-genetic modifications of DNA over time. However, these approaches have certain limitations, as they do not reflect the activity of specific genes. Now, a study published in Nature has analysed more than 11,000 transcriptomes from over 25 tissues in mice, rats, macaques and humans, showing that ageing-associated changes are conserved across species and cell types. The findings reveal universal transcriptomic signatures of ageing and mortality in mammals. Using these data, the authors developed their own molecular ‘clocks’, capable of estimating biological age and expected mortality.
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