A genetic and genomic approach to identify longevity genes in mice

Natural variation in rate of aging or longevity in mice and humans shows a very complex inheritance pattern. Few targeted genetic screens have identified longevity genes in mammals, partly as a result from the fact that the genetics of longevity, can only be studied reliably in cohorts of mice. In this paper we propose that a combined genetic and genomic analysis of large families of fully genotyped recombinant inbred mice may provide a crucial tool to the aging research community. As a proof of principle we describe preliminary studies in which variation in gene expression patterns in hematopoietic stem cells and brain were genetically linked to longevity. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved