Nature Reviews Groundbreaking Book on Research of Aging Edited by UAB Professor

A University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) biology professor has edited a recently released book considered the first to compile and review the leading research in the field of the epigenetics of aging, and the prestigious journal Nature has taken note, reviewing the book in a new issue.

May 3, 2010

•Read the review in Nature: http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v464/n7292/full/4641130a.html

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - A University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) biology professor has edited a recently released book considered the first to compile and review the leading research in the field of the epigenetics of aging, and the prestigious journal Nature has taken note, reviewing the book in a new issue.

Trygve Tollefsbol, Ph.D., D.O., the UAB molecular biologist behind the book who also contributed five of the 25 researcher articles contained in the publication, says Epigenetics of Aging is the seminal work on the topic, covering a range of issues from the basic epigenetic process of aging to epigenetic drugs that may enable intervention into aging and age-related diseases.

"Epigenetics of Aging is an indispensable source of information for those with interests in epigenetics or aging," Tollefsbol says. "The book details the fascinating and revolutionary field of the epigenetics of aging and covers the most recent advances that impact the longevity of living organisms."

Epigenetics is the study of mechanisms that modify DNA but do not involve changes in the sequence of the DNA. Epigenetic changes operating at the cellular level have the ability to change the behavior of human genes. When applied to aging, the science seeks answers into how cellular changes over time may lead to diseases like Alzheimer's or immune system deficiencies, for example.

In its review, Nature applauded Tollefsbol's book because it "reminds us that mysterious and fascinating processes govern the last phase of life in all organisms."

"Whether a seasoned researcher or a layman interested in the topic, we have tried to make the research on the epigenetics of aging accessible to all," Tollefsbol says. "I hope the book serves as a guide to improve the understanding of the science and encourages future lines of research."

Epigenetics of Aging was released in January and is now available at Amazon.com and through other book sellers.

About the UAB Department of Biology

The UAB Department of Biology is a dynamic academic partnership that provides a broad-based graduate and undergraduate curriculum. Most members of the graduate faculty have research specialties in comparative biochemistry, physiology and eco-physiology of aquatic organisms. A second, important department research focus is environmental microbiology. The department is housed within the UAB College of Arts and Sciences.