Identification of genetic markers of biological age and metabolism

Abstract

A method of measuring the biological age of a multicellular organism is disclosed. In one embodiment this method comprises the steps of obtaining a sample of nucleic acid isolated from the organism's organ, tissue or cell and determining the expression pattern of a panel of sequences within the nucleic acid that have been predetermined by either increase or decrease in response to biological aging of the organ, tissue or cell. A method of obtaining biomarkers of aging is also disclosed. This method comprises the step of comparing a gene expression profile of a young multicellular organism subject's organ, tissue or cells; a gene expression profile from a chronologically aged subject's organ, tissue or cell; and a gene expression profile from a chronologically aged but biologically younger subject's organ, tissue or cell and identifying gene expression alterations that are observed when comparing the young subjects and the chronologically aged subjects and are not observed or reduced in magnitude when comparing the young subjects and the chronologically aged but biologically younger subjects.

1 .- 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . A method for screening a compound for the ability to inhibit or retard the aging process in multicellular organisms tissue, organ or cell comprising the steps of:
 (a) dividing test organisms into first and second mammalian samples;   (b) exposing the organisms of the first sample to a test compound;   (c) analyzing tissues, organs or cells of the first and second samples for the level of expression of a panel of sequences that have been predetermined to either increase or decrease in response to biological aging of the tissue;   (d) comparing the analysis of the first and second samples and identifying test compounds that modify the expression of the sequences of step (c) in the first sample such that the expression pattern is indicative of tissue, organ or cell that has an inhibited or retarded biological age.   
     
     
         23 . A method as in  claim 22 , wherein the organism is a mammal. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the mammal is selected from the group consisting of humans, rats and mice. 
     
     
         25 . A method as in  claim 23 , wherein the tissue is selected from the group consisting of brain tissue, heart tissue, muscle tissue, blood, skeletal muscle, mucosa, skin, lymphocytes and liver tissue. 
     
     
         26 .- 28 . (canceled)