After decades of systematic collection of data describing age-related changes in organisms, organs, tissues, cells and macromolecules, biogerontologists are now in a position to construct general principles of ageing and explore various possibilities of intervention using rational approaches. While not giving serious consideration to the claims made by charlatans, it cannot be ignored that several researchers are making genuine attempts to test and develop various means of intervention for the prevention and treatment of age-related diseases, for regaining the functional abilities and for...

After decades of systematic collection of data describing age-related changes in organisms, organs, tissues, cells and macromolecules, biogerontologists are now in a position to construct general principles of ageing and explore various possibilities of intervention using rational approaches. While not giving serious consideration to the claims made by charlatans, it cannot be ignored that several researchers are making genuine attempts to test and develop various means of intervention for the prevention and treatment of age-related diseases, for regaining the functional abilities and for...

Esteemed researchers from different European laboratories provide state-of-the-art studies on biology and ageing, along with guidelines for future investigations. They cover such issues in molecular gerontological research as regulation of gene expression from DNA to RNA to functional proteins, origin of various age-associated diseases, genetic regulation of ageing and longevity, and different mechanisms of defense and repair. Other contributions evaluate new technologies, including transgenic organisms, and the use of nutritional and chemical modulators of ageing and lifespan.