"Aging and death do seem to be what Nature has planned for us. But what if we have other plans."
Bernard Strehler
This section consists of a series of scientific essays on the biology of aging. They provide an overview of the science, methods, challenges, discoveries, and concepts of research on aging and offer a summary of our current understanding of human aging. I tried to make this section accessible to everyone with some basic background in biology, including undergraduates. Some essays are more detailed than others; a glossary is available and all essays should be understandable to serious readers; further references are mentioned in the bibliography in case you want further details concerning the experiments described or ideas presented. Since these essays review the most important aspects of the biology of aging, they could also be useful for researchers. (I use them myself as a reference.)
I start with some definitions of basic terms and concepts and an overview of what is human aging, which I recommend that you read in order to better understand the other essays. In fact, the essays follow a logical sequence which I recommend that readers follow, particularly if unfamiliar with the biology of aging. Of course, many readers access just one essay of interest, and cross-links between essays help readers navigate through different topics. Still, readers familiar with general observations related to the genetics of aging and the aging model systems will find it easier to understand the entire section.
Some of these essays are based on my academic publications. I tend to cite my papers often for the simple reason that I am more familiar with them, but I try to provide a general perspective on various findings and theories even if I do not agree with them.
What Is Aging? defines the basic concepts in the biology of aging.
Some Animals Age, Others May Not; a look at the diverse aging phenotypes found in nature.
Comparative Biology of Aging presents trends found in comparative studies of aging.
Is Aging Genetic? discusses the genetic basis of human aging.
The Evolutionary Theory of Aging debates the models and hypotheses put forward to explain how aging evolved.
Human Aging Model Systems introduces and discusses the different model organisms used to study human aging.
Cellular Senescence; cellular models of aging and the rationale behind them.
Telomeres and Telomerase presents the telomeres, their mechanisms, and their relation to human aging.
Why Do We Age? offers an overview of the predominant causal theories of aging.
Damage-Based Theories of Aging introduces and discusses theories of aging based on damage accumulation.
Programmed Theories of Aging introduces and discusses theories of aging based on programmed events.
Turning Back the Clock presents future strategies to delay and reverse human aging.
Godseed speculates how we will be able to change ourselves onto non-aging organisms.
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