The secret of the centenarians

Kiel, 7 June 2011 In the industrialized nations, life expectancy is steadily increasing. Besides factors such as diet, exercise and living standards, genes also play an important role. The Research Group for Healthy Ageing, a part of the Inflammation Research Excellence Cluster, investigates the molecular principles and prerequisites for longevity. As part of a joint, Europe-wide, one-of-a-kind study project, Andrea Labes, a photographer from Berlin, has photographed 100 centenarians. 12 of these award-winning portraits as well as information about the Research Group for Healthy Ageing are being shown through 30 June 2011 in the exhibition “The Secret of the 100-Year-Olds” in Kiel’s city hall.

The study of longevity

Since 2000, molecular biologists, physicians, bioinformaticians and laboratory technicians in the Research Group for Healthy Ageing work on one goal: the study of longevity. The focus is on the identification and characterization of genetic factors that allow people to become vital, active seniors. Also, the contributive living conditions and environmental influences are being researched.  The research is focused on hale and hearty individuals at least 98 years old. They provide anonymous blood samples, the basis for the molecular investigations.  Through the biobank popgen, the research group has access to around 3,000 genetic samples from men and women over 90 years of age, one of the largest collections of its kind worldwide. 750 study participants have even reached the age of 100 years or more. The blood samples contain the genetic material that the scientists are analyzing regarding various issues: What gene variants are more or less frequently found in centenarians, than in younger people? Which can cause illness, which protect them?

The research group discovered a “Methusaleh gene”

In 2009, the research group was able to announce a great achievement and confirm the second gene known worldwide that can contribute to longevity. Some particular variations in FOXO3A, the name of the gene, were found in 36 percent of the centenarians examined, but only in 28 percent of younger people. Who carries this gene has a higher probability of living to be 100 years old.

Demographic backgrounds

In Germany there are more than 10,000 centenarians, and rising. With the average age currently set at 82 years and 6 months for women and 77 years and 4 months for men (Source: Federal Statistical Office), the Federal Statistical Office projects an increase in life expectancy of a further four to five years by the year 2050. This steady increase in age is offset by the declining birth rate. These developments confront society with new and major challenges. Findings concerning the ageing human body can contribute answers to future issues.

The Cluster of Excellence "Inflammation at Interfaces"

The Inflammation Research Excellence Cluster follows a unique, interdisciplinary research approach in order to decode the causes of chonic inflammation and to develop therapies for healing. The research association brings together the competences of approximately200 geneticists, biologists, nutritionists and physicians from Kiel University and the University of Lübeck, the Research Institute Borstel and the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, Plön. In Germany alone, millions of people suffer from chronic inflammation of the lungs (asthma), the skin (psoriasis), the intestines (Crohn’s disease) and the brain (Parkinson’s disease). The trigger is a disorder of the immune system: it incessantly activates inflammatory mediators and defense cells, thereby destroying healthy tissue. The number of sufferers increases daily. This phenomenon of modern civilization has become the challenge for 21st Century medicine. Accordingly, in 2007 the German Federal Government and the German Research Foundation declared the decoding of the complex inflammation mechanism to be a national scientific priority.

Business Office of the Inflammation Research Excellence Cluster:
Dr. Helga Andree, Office Manager, Cluster of Excellence “ Inflammation at Interfaces”, Christian-Albrechts-Platz 4, 24118 Kiel, Germany
T: 0431/880-5536,
E: info@inflammation-at-interfaces.de

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