Aging of the Genome: The Dual Role of DNA in Life and Death

by Jan Vijg

Overview

Aging has long since been ascribed to the gradual accumulation of DNA mutations in the genome of somatic cells. However, it is only recently that the necessary sophisticated technology has been developed to begin testing this theory and its consequences. Vijg critically reviews the concept of genomic instability as a possible universal cause of aging in the context of a new, holistic understanding of genome functioning in complex organisms resulting from recent advances in functional genomics and systems biology. It provides an up-to-date synthesis of current research, as well as a look ahead to the design of strategies to retard or reverse the deleterious effects of aging. This is particularly important in a time when we are urgently trying to unravel the genetic component of aging-related diseases. Moreover, there is a growing public recognition of the imperative of understanding more about the underlying biology of aging, driven by continuing demographic change.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780198569237
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	03/29/2007
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	386
Product dimensions:	9.60(w) x 7.40(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Jan Vijg is Professor at the Buck Institute for Age Research in Novato, California, USA.

Table of Contents

Preface1. Introduction2. The Logic of Aging3. Genome Structure and Function4. Genome Maintenance5. Genome Instability and Accelerated Aging6. The Aging Genome7. From Genome to Phenome8. A Genomic Limit to Life? References and GlossaryLiterature References

Editorial Reviews

Reviewer: David O. Staats, MD (University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center)
Description: This is a single-authored monograph about the biology of aging, specifically about the genome and aging. It reviews how DNA is involved in the process of aging.
Purpose: Its purpose is to review the biology of the genome and to review how changes in DNA affect aging. Such a review is very timely at a point when knowledge about DNA and the genome is exploding. The author succeeds brilliantly in meeting his goals.
Audience: The audience here is the community of biological and medical scientists researching aging. Geriatricians are able to read this book as well. The author is one of the world's experts in this field.
Features: The author has carefully organized this book so that the flow is excellent. A review of the theories of aging is followed by reviews of genome structure and function. Then come discussion of genomic instability and repair. Then the altered DNA as a mechanism of aging is covered. The book concludes with a look towards future work.
Assessment: This book is a masterpiece. Written in beautiful, clear language and in a warm, collegial tone, it is always positive in its outlook. All the important biological issues — growth and development, cancer and aging — are woven together seamlessly. DNA and its changes with age provide the nexus for all of these. This book also summarizes current knowledge about the genome. The scholarship is first-rate, as reflected in the meticulously crafted citations and bibliography. Although it is dense reading, anyone who has had some exposure to molecular biology can understand and appreciate the bravura accomplishments of this book. This book stands today as Watson's Molecular Biology of the Gene stood in 1970. It is amazing.

Doody's Review Service

Reviewer:David O. Staats, MD(University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center)
Description:This is a single-authored monograph about the biology of aging, specifically about the genome and aging. It reviews how DNA is involved in the process of aging.
Purpose:Its purpose is to review the biology of the genome and to review how changes in DNA affect aging. Such a review is very timely at a point when knowledge about DNA and the genome is exploding. The author succeeds brilliantly in meeting his goals.
Audience:The audience here is the community of biological and medical scientists researching aging. Geriatricians are able to read this book as well. The author is one of the world's experts in this field.
Features:The author has carefully organized this book so that the flow is excellent. A review of the theories of aging is followed by reviews of genome structure and function. Then come discussion of genomic instability and repair. Then the altered DNA as a mechanism of aging is covered. The book concludes with a look towards future work.
Assessment:This book is a masterpiece. Written in beautiful, clear language and in a warm, collegial tone, it is always positive in its outlook. All the important biological issues -- growth and development, cancer and aging -- are woven together seamlessly. DNA and its changes with age provide the nexus for all of these. This book also summarizes current knowledge about the genome. The scholarship is first-rate, as reflected in the meticulously crafted citations and bibliography. Although it is dense reading, anyone who has had some exposure to molecular biology can understand and appreciate the bravura accomplishments of this book. This book stands today as Watson's Molecular Biology of the Gene stood in 1970. It is amazing.