Interesting article in the New York times about a possible gene mutations found in an Ecuadorean Population: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/17/science/17longevity.html?_r=3&hp
This is related to what we've discussed in not only genetics- but what may be seen as a benefit/deficiency at one point in the life span may not be regarded as that later in the life span.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Thursday, February 17, 2011
How long will you live?
While genetics have some influence on how long we will live, we realized from the video on epigenetics that even people with identical DNA can have different phenotypes (what we see), as well as different health outcomes (i.e. cancer). Longevity calculators take into account some gene-related factors and quite a few lifestyle factors.
The task for this week is to take an online quiz from AARP:
http://calculator.livingto100.com/calculator
You do not have to share your age of life expectancy, but I would like you to comment on whether or not your calculated age is what you expect to live. Also, what do you think about the questions that they ask? Are there other things they should/shouldn't include?
The task for this week is to take an online quiz from AARP:
http://calculator.livingto100.com/calculator
You do not have to share your age of life expectancy, but I would like you to comment on whether or not your calculated age is what you expect to live. Also, what do you think about the questions that they ask? Are there other things they should/shouldn't include?
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Is Aging Genetic?
I hope that everyone enjoyed our guest speaker, Dr. Bronikowski. I thought her research on genes and exercise in mice was a great segue into what we will be discussing the next class: the role of genes in aging.
There is no assigned reading for next class, but I would like each person to find an article (doesn't have to be from a peer-reviewed journal) that discusses the importance of genetics. In your post I would also like you to discuss your own interpretations of the article, as well as your initial understanding on the importance of genes and aging. (For example, do genes play a larger role than environmental influences? Are certain characteristics more influenced by genes?)
Tasks for this week:
1. Find a reading/article on the importance of genetics in aging.
2. Reflect upon the article that you found. How does the information fit with your own conceptions of genes and aging.
3. Comment on the readings/reflections of two other class members.
There is no assigned reading for next class, but I would like each person to find an article (doesn't have to be from a peer-reviewed journal) that discusses the importance of genetics. In your post I would also like you to discuss your own interpretations of the article, as well as your initial understanding on the importance of genes and aging. (For example, do genes play a larger role than environmental influences? Are certain characteristics more influenced by genes?)
Tasks for this week:
1. Find a reading/article on the importance of genetics in aging.
2. Reflect upon the article that you found. How does the information fit with your own conceptions of genes and aging.
3. Comment on the readings/reflections of two other class members.
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