Geroscience encyclopedia
Ultimate Longevity Bible
A research-grounded encyclopedia of longevity science. Plain-language summaries of the hallmarks of aging, interventions, biomarkers, and the researchers shaping the field.
The Twelve Hallmarks of Aging
Based on the López-Otín et al. 2023 framework.
- 01
Altered Extracellular Matrix
Age-related changes in the extracellular matrix — cross-linking, fibrosis, elastin loss — that impair tissue function and reciprocally alter cell behaviour.
- 02
Altered Intercellular Communication
Age-related changes in hormonal, neuronal, and immune signalling between cells and tissues.
- 03
Cellular Senescence
Stable cell-cycle arrest accompanied by a pro-inflammatory secretome (the SASP) that propagates dysfunction to neighbouring tissue. Senescent-cell burden rises with age and drives inflammaging.
- 04
Chronic Inflammation
Persistent low-grade systemic inflammation ("inflammaging") that accelerates most major age-related diseases.
- 05
Deregulated Nutrient-Sensing
Loss of homeostasis in the insulin/IGF-1, mTOR, AMPK, and sirtuin pathways that translate nutrient state into growth and repair decisions.
- 06
Disabled Macroautophagy
Decline in the bulk recycling pathway that engulfs and degrades cellular components, especially damaged mitochondria and protein aggregates.
- 07
Dysbiosis
Age-related shift in gut microbial composition and function, with knock-on effects on metabolism, immunity, and the brain.
- 08
Epigenetic Alterations
Age-related changes in DNA methylation, histone modifications, and chromatin remodelling that drift cells away from youthful gene-expression patterns.
- 09
Genomic Instability
Accumulation of DNA damage over the lifespan, driven by both endogenous and environmental insults.
- 10
Loss of Proteostasis
Decline in the cell's ability to fold, refold, and degrade proteins, leading to accumulation of misfolded and aggregated species.
- 11
Mechanical Aging
Proposed hallmark: age-related changes in tissue mechanical properties (stiffness, elasticity, viscoelasticity) that drive dysfunction independently of molecular hallmarks.
- 12
Metaflammation
Metabolically-driven chronic low-grade inflammation — a distinct sub-phenotype of inflammaging arising from adipose tissue, gut, and metabolic organs.
- 13
Mitochondrial Dysfunction
Age-related decline in mitochondrial bioenergetics, biogenesis, and quality control, with downstream effects on ROS, inflammation, and cell death.
- 14
Splicing Dysregulation
Proposed candidate hallmark of aging: mis-regulation of pre-mRNA splicing accumulates with age, producing dysfunctional protein isoforms and driving multiple age-related diseases.
- 15
Stem Cell Exhaustion
Decline in the number and regenerative capacity of tissue-specific stem cells, impairing replacement of dying or damaged cells.
- 16
Telomere Attrition
Progressive shortening of chromosomal end-caps with each cell division, triggering senescence or apoptosis.
Browse by topic
Hallmarks of Aging
The twelve biological processes underlying aging.
16 entries
Pathways
Molecular signalling pathways that govern aging and repair.
25 entries
Interventions
Drugs, supplements, procedures, and behaviours studied for longevity.
65 entries
Biomarkers
Measurements used to track biological age, risk, and healthspan.
55 entries
Diseases of Aging
Major age-related diseases and what is known about delaying them.
31 entries
Nutrition
Dietary patterns, foods, and feeding-window strategies.
33 entries
Researchers
Scientists shaping the field of geroscience.
35 entries
Clinical Trials
Notable human and animal trials of longevity interventions.
28 entries
Theories of Aging
Mechanistic and evolutionary frameworks for why we age.
16 entries
Concepts
Core ideas: healthspan vs lifespan, biological age, escape velocity.
30 entries
Longevity Clinics
Overview of commercial longevity-medicine providers.
18 entries
Longevity Companies
Biotechs working on aging interventions.
27 entries
Longevity Genes
Genetic variants influencing aging trajectory and disease risk.
14 entries
Tools & Wearables
Tracking devices and software useful in longevity practice.
15 entries
Lifestyle
Behaviour, environment, and social factors that shape healthspan.
14 entries
Books
Recommended reading on longevity science and practice.
14 entries
Compare
Head-to-head comparisons: X vs Y across drugs, tests, and tools.
13 entries
Best of
Curated 'best of' guides for specific situations and goals.
10 entries