During our short time on earth, we all undergo the highly complex process of aging, and with it, we experience the many physiological symptoms. Studies of premature aging have produced a great deal of information that gives some aspects of aging a better understanding. This book explores Werner's syndrome. To some, Werner's syndrome is considered a caricature of aging, but others will find it fascinating that only one mutated human gene (WRN) can bring about a multitude of complicated phenotypes that are usually associated with aging.

The Handbook of Models for Human Aging is designed as the only comprehensive work available that covers the diversity of aging models currently available. For each animal model, it presents key aspects of biology, nutrition, factors affecting life span, methods of age determination, use in research, and disadvantages/advantes of use. Chapters on comparative models take a broad sweep of age-related diseases, from Alzheimer's to joint disease, cataracts, cancer, and obesity. In addition, there is an historical overview and discussion of model availability, key methods, and ethical issues. - Utilizes a multidisciplinary approach - Shows tricks and approaches not available in primary publications - First volume of its kind to combine both methods of study for human aging and animal models - Over 200 illustrations

A number of genes have been identified that are associated with an increased body mass index (BMI), the standard measurement of obesity. By analyzing these genes, researchers hope to gain a better understanding of what causes obesity and develop ways to tackle the problem. The study of genes and obesity could lead to new treatments. Genes and Obesity reviews the latest developments in the field. - This series provides a forum for discussion of new discoveries, approaches, and ideas - Contributions from leading scholars and industry experts - Reference guide for researchers involved in molecular biology and related fields

Helicases are ubiquitous enzymes found throughout evolution. Research in the helicase field has been going on for a long time now but in recent past with the completion of so many genomes, these enzymes have been discovered in a number of organisms. But the available literature is scattered. The huge number of identified DNA and RNA helicases, along with the structural and functional differences among them, make difficult for the interested scholar to grasp a comprehensive view of the field. Helicases from all Domains of Life is the first book to compile information about helicases from many different organisms in one place. Knowledge of the functions and features of helicases across the different kingdoms of life are a valuable source of novel ideas and information The book begins with a chapter on the evolutionary history of helicases followed by three "overview" chapters: one for bacteria/archaea (which are not mentioned), one for plants/algae and one for human helicases The overview chapters are followed by specific chapters on selected helicases of great importance from a biological/applicative point of view

The world population is rapidly aging—it is estimated that by 1950, around 17% of the population will be elderly. In this context, aging involves several physiological, psychological and highly complex social processes that vary from one person to another. For a long time, medical care for older adults has focused on treating chronic, age-related diseases and their associated consequences. Recently, biomedical research brings a novel point of view to develop more effective interventions by targeting the aging process itself rather than separate conditions. There is a growing number of reports indicating that aging is driven by several interconnected mechanisms and biological components referred to as the molecular pillars of aging. Interfering with these mechanisms could help to treat, prevent, and understand the development of age-related diseases and associated syndromes. This book provides a clinical perspective and general update on biomedical and genetic research in aging, moving from an update in the molecular pillars of aging to a perspective of the most recent pharmacological, clinical, and diagnostic applications using genomic approaches and techniques. While this book focuses on the specifics of genetics and genomics, it also adopts a clinical perspective of geroscience, which seeks to understand the genetic, molecular and cellular mechanisms that make aging an important risk factor and, sometimes, a determining factor in the diseases and common chronic conditions of older people. Additionally, Clinical Genetics and Genomics of Aging is a significant contribution to support aging research, as it shows that collaboration across disciplines is relevant to progress in the field. As more and more people benefit from increased longevity, clinician and researchers will be empowered by this knowledge to contribute to the progress of aging research.

At least 5 trillion cell divisions are required for a fertilized egg to develop into an adult human, resulting in the production of more than 20 trillion meters of DNA! And yet, with only two exceptions, the genome is replicated once and only once each time a cell divides. How is this feat accomplished? What happens when errors occur? This book addresses these questions by presenting a thorough analysis of the molecular events that govern DNA replication in eukaryotic cells. The association between genome replication and cell proliferation, disease pathogenesis, and the development of targeted therapeutics is also addressed. At least 160 proteins are involved in replicating the human genome, and at least 40 diseases are caused by aberrant DNA replication, 35 by mutations in genes required for DNA replication or repair, 7 by mutations generated during mitochondrial DNA replication, and more than 40 by DNA viruses. Consequently, a growing number of therapeutic drugs are targeted to DNA replication proteins. This authoritative volume provides a rich source of information for researchers, physicians, and teachers, and will stimulate thinking about the relevance of DNA replication to human disease.

Why do we age? Is aging inevitable? Will advances in medical knowledge allow us to extend the human lifespan beyond its present limits? Because growing old has long been the one irreducible reality of human existence, these intriguing questions arise more often in the context of science fiction than science fact. But recent discoveries in the fields of cell biology and molecular genetics are seriously challenging the assumption that human lifespans are beyond our control. With such discoveries in mind, noted cell biologist William R. Clark clearly and skillfully describes how senescence begins at the level of individual cells and how cellular replication may be bound up with aging of the entire organism. He explores the evolutionary origin and function of aging, the cellular connections between aging and cancer, the parallels between cellular senescence and Alzheimer's disease, and the insights gained through studying human genetic disorders--such as Werner's syndrome--that mimic the symptoms of aging. Clark also explains how reduction in caloric intake may actually help increase lifespan, and how the destructive effects of oxidative elements in the body may be limited by the consumption of antioxidants found in fruits and vegetables. In a final chapter, Clark considers the social and economic aspects of living longer, the implications of gene therapy on senescence, and what we might learn about aging from experiments in cloning. This is a highly readable, provocative account of some of the most far-reaching and controversial questions we are likely to ask in the next century.

Recent studies have indicated that epigenetic processes may play a major role in both cellular and organismal aging. These epigenetic processes include not only DNA methylation and histone modifications, but also extend to many other epigenetic mediators such as the polycomb group proteins, chromosomal position effects, and noncoding RNA. The topics of this book range from fundamental changes in DNA methylation in aging to the most recent research on intervention into epigenetic modifications to modulate the aging process. The major topics of epigenetics and aging covered in this book are: 1) DNA methylation and histone modifications in aging; 2) Other epigenetic processes and aging; 3) Impact of epigenetics on aging; 4) Epigenetics of age-related diseases; 5) Epigenetic interventions and aging: and 6) Future directions in epigenetic aging research. The most studied of epigenetic processes, DNA methylation, has been associated with cellular aging and aging of organisms for many years. It is now apparent that both global and gene-specific alterations occur not only in DNA methylation during aging, but also in several histone alterations. Many epigenetic alterations can have an impact on aging processes such as stem cell aging, control of telomerase, modifications of telomeres, and epigenetic drift can impact the aging process as evident in the recent studies of aging monozygotic twins. Numerous age-related diseases are affected by epigenetic mechanisms. For example, recent studies have shown that DNA methylation is altered in Alzheimer’s disease and autoimmunity. Other prevalent diseases that have been associated with age-related epigenetic changes include cancer and diabetes. Paternal age and epigenetic changes appear to have an effect on schizophrenia and epigenetic silencing has been associated with several of the progeroid syndromes of premature aging. Moreover, the impact of dietary or drug intervention into epigenetic processes as they affect normal aging or age-related diseases is becoming increasingly feasible.