Colloquium: Investigating the joint genetic architecture of human health and aging

Abstract: Biological aging is the progressive, multi-system decline that occurs with advancing chronological age. Biological aging is associated with diminishing physical and neurocognitive function as well as increased chronic disease and mortality risk. Recent large-scale genome-wide association studies indicate substantial genetic sharing among aging-related decline and diseases, suggesting that multi-system aging may arise, in part, via shared genetic pathways. To date, however, the patterns of genetic sharing across common conditions of aging remain descriptive. Here I present results of analyses leveraging cutting-edge genomic methods to investigate the multivariate genetic architecture of human aging, which shed light on potential common mechanisms and pathways underlying aging-related disease risk and functional limitations. Our results provide some of the best evidence to-date on the existence of a shared biological mechanism of multi-system aging as posited by geroscience. Our results also contribute to identifying malleable risk and protective factors for diseases of aging that can be targeted by interventions aimed at fostering healthy aging and well-being into old age.

Where: Small conference room, Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Lentzeallee 94, 14195 Berlin

Digital access via: https://mpib-berlin.webex.com/mpib-berlin/j.php?MTID=m4cb8de355771548656118b213216513f

Meeting number: 2741 054 1871

Password: dhY3M7ZxDW3