Deciphering the role of natural variation in age-related protein homeostasis

Abstract

Understanding the genetic basis of age-related diseases is a critical step toward developing therapies that promote healthy aging. Numerous genes have been identified that modulate lifespan, but the influence of natural variation in aging has not been well studied. A new report utilizing a transgenic protein aggregation model in Caenorhabditis elegans has provided important tools and insights into the relationship between natural genetic variation, protein aggregation, and age-related pathology.See research article: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1741-7007/11/100. © 2013 Kaeberlein; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.