This study started in mid 2004. Telomeres are protective structures located at the end of chromosomes. Their length and their rate of shortening have been correlated with longevity and with some age-related diseases in humans. Therefore genes that influence telomere length and telomere shortening might potentially be used to predict ageing and diseases associated with it. We are in the process of studying the influence of genes on telomere length and telomere shortening in two ways:
- by comparing the amount of similarity in telomere length and rate of shortening between identical and non-identical twins we will determine to what extent these telomere traits are under genetic control;
- by using already available genotyping on over 700 genome-wide genetic markers we will investigate if there exist chromosomal regions linked to telomere length and rate of shortening as a way of identifying the genes involved.