Molecular and cellular biology of aging

The Society of Gerontologists of the USA has published a unique e-book containing detailed reviews of the aging process of many different organisms, ranging from microbes to humans. This constructive publication "Molecular and Cellular Biology of Aging" (Molecular and Cellular Biology of Aging) is planned as a manual for scientists dealing with the issue of aging at all levels.

The book describes how the basic processes of aging are interconnected with age-related diseases, how aging and longevity are influenced by interactions between genes, as well as between genes and the environment, and also due to which a significant improvement in understanding these relationships can help specialists in developing rational strategies for interventions.

According to one of the main editors of the book, Dr. Judith Campisi from the Buck Institute for the Study of Aging, over the past two decades, there has been a revolution in scientific understanding and the potential for developing meaningful interventions in the field of aging research. As a result, this field attracts an unprecedented number of students who have recently defended their doctoral dissertation of scientists and eminent specialists working in other fields. 

The book consists of 10 sections, including 34 chapters, the authors of which are several dozen world-class specialists in biological sciences. This long-awaited manual provides the first maximally detailed description of modern views, experimental results, interpretations and contradictions in this rapidly developing and evolving field. 

The electronic format provides the possibility of frequent changes, which makes the new manual unique and invariably relevant.

The book begins with an introduction to the science of aging with a strong emphasis on the importance of this field in connection with the aging of the population and its biological "roots" going far into the evolutionary history of life. After that, the known data on the aging of intact (mainly model) organisms are discussed, after which the focus gradually shifts to smaller and smaller components of such organisms: aging of certain tissues, cellular bases of aging, age-related changes in subcellular compartments and, finally, aging of biological macromolecules such as lipids, proteins and DNA. The last pages contain chapters on the systemic biology of aging and possible interventions. Throughout the text, the authors pay special attention to the relationship between aging and diseases, as well as various theories of aging.

In the introduction, the main authors state that, without missing important details, the book provides information about the basic principles and general characteristics of aging of various organisms. They also note their firm belief that a deep look and understanding of the basic principles are necessary to develop interventions that will allow us to look at aging the way we now look at diseases, that is, as a condition to be treated.

The book “Molecular and Cellular Biology of Aging” can be purchased and downloaded here. 

Evgeniya Ryabtseva

Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru Based on the materials of The Gerontological Society of America: GSA Releases Most Comprehensive Textbook on Basic Biology of Aging to Date.