Telomere length in early life predicts lifespan

The attrition of telomeres, the ends of eukaryote chromosomes, is thought to play an important role in cell deterioration with advancing age. The observed variation in telomere length among individuals of the same age is therefore thought to be related to variation in potential longevity. Studies of this relationship are hampered by the time scale over which individuals need to be followed, particularly in long-lived species where lifespan variation is greatest. So far, data are based either on simple comparisons of telomere length among different age classes or on individuals whose telomere length is measured at most twice and whose subsequent survival is monitored for only a short proportion of the typical…

• NS
  National Science Foundation

  Award: 0852962
• WT
  Wellcome Trust
• SR
  Sight Research UK

  Award: NE/H012125/1
• UO
  University of Glasgow
• NE
  Natural Environment Research Council

  Award: NE/H012125/1