New DNA Clock May Predict How Long You Live

How long are you going to live? Scientists may have just identified a biological clock that provides vital clues about how long a person is likely to live.

In this case, the researchers studied the chemical changes to DNA that take place over a lifetime. In fact, the latest research is the result of four independent studies that tracked the lives of almost 5,000 older people for up to 14 years. Each person's biological age was measured from a blood sample at the outset, and participants were followed up with throughout the study.

The researchers measured each person's biological age by studying a chemical modification to DNA, known as methylation. This modification doesn't alter the DNA sequence, but instead plays an important role in biological processes and can influence how genes are turned off and on. Methylation changes can affect many genes and occur throughout a person's life.

In this case, the researchers found that there was a link between having a faster-running biological clock and death. In fact, this held true even after accounting for other factors, such as smoking, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

"The same results in four studies indicated a link between the biological clock and deaths from all causes," said Riccardo Marioni, one of the researchers, in a news release. "At present, it is not clear what lifestyle or genetic factors influence a person's biological age. We have several follow-up projects planned to investigate this in detail."

The findings reveal a bit more about longevity and aging. Because researchers have now identified a novel indicator of aging, they can now push forward with future studies.

The findings are published in the journal Genome Biology.

For more great science stories and general news, please visit our sister site, Headlines and Global News (HNGN).