Identification of gene expression alterations underlying the aging process in mammals

Abstract

A method of measuring the biological age of a multicellular organism is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of: (a) obtaining a sample of nucleic acid isolated from the organism's organ, tissue or cell, wherein the nucleic acid is RNA or a cDNA copy of RNA and (b) determining the gene expression pattern of at least one of the genes selected from the group consisting of M21050, Z49204, U49430, K02782, X58861, X66295, M22531, X67809, U19118, M64086, M63695, U39066, X92590, X56518, AA182189, X16493, U20344, X16834, X82648, D00754, D16313, L38971 and X15789.

1 - 25 . (canceled)  
     
     
         26 . A kit for the detection of measuring biological age of a multicellular organism, comprising reagents suitable for measuring protein, mRNA or cDNA levels of proteins, mRNAs, or cDNAs encoded by ORF M21050, Z49204, U49430, K02782, X58861, X66295, M22531, X67809, U19118, M64086, M63695, U39066, X92590, X56518, AA182189, X16493, U20344, X16834, X82648, D00754, D16313, L38971 and X15789.