New Gene Tools Unlock the Mystery of Aging

The application of bio systems in the development ofnumber of computer-based primer design algorithms
gene tools has proven efficacy for altered methylationare available to researchers interested in determining
patterns that develop genetic disorders, cancer andthe aging process from the approach of DNA for
aging. Primer design studies has shown changesmapping chromatin domains, while reducing
occurring in DNA used as molecular markers of cellcosts.Research lead by the National Institute of Aging
degradation mechanisms leading to disease or(NIA) found that defective WRNp protein is involved in
changes in tissue structure and function.Real time PCRpremature aging disorder, helping scientist to
is a reliable and easy to use technique to detect andunderstand primer design analysis toward DNA repair,
measure DNA methylation by direct monitoring of awhich becomes less efficient during normal human
PCR reaction useful for both research and routineaging. The NIA is one of the 25 institutes of the
diagnostics. Because aging is the result of generalNational Institutes of Health, leading the Federal effort in
deterioration of the body's cells increasing with age,supporting research on aging.Gene Tools, including Real
primer design analysis can help to determinetime PCR, are powerful identifiers of gene expression
contributing factors to delay the process.New genepatterns modifying DNA that eventually contribute to
tools are the response to genomics-based approachdevelop aging-related diseases such as Parkinson
to human genetics proposed in the 1990's, however,disease, Alzheimer's disease and the
aging treatments based on the study and capture ofHutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS) referred
the human DNA sequence variations information areto as a premature aging syndrome.Copyright @2006,
not financially feasible yet. However, by lowering the4th Media CorporationYou have permission to publish
costs of real time PCR will increase the power ofthis article electronically free of charge, as long as the
gene tools to identify the origin of cells aging.Staceybylines and links in the body of the article and the
Gabriel, director of the Broad Institute's Geneticbylines are included.Natalie Aranda writes about health,
Analysis said, "when we started doing this work askin care and fitness. The application of bio systems in
number of years ago, determining the genotype of athe development of gene tools has proven efficacy
SNP in a patient cost nearly a dollar, and we could dofor altered methylation patterns that develop genetic
hundreds a day. Today the prices have dropped indisorders, cancer and aging. Primer design studies has
many cases to a fraction of a penny per genotype,shown changes occurring in DNA used as molecular
and we can do millions a day. This is the differencemarkers of cell degradation mechanisms leading to
between not being able to do the studies, and gettingdisease or changes in tissue structure and function.
them done rapidly and well."Primer design is the initialReal time PCR is a reliable and easy to use technique
element required to set an anti-aging methodologyto detect and measure DNA methylation by direct
based on gene structure, hence allowing improvedmonitoring of a PCR reaction useful for both research
automation of real time PCR. In addition, a largeand routine diagnostics.