Basic research
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A fundamental but poorly understood aspect of ageing is the asynchronous deterioration of organs and tissues within an individual. How the intrinsic rate of ageing within the different tissues is determined, how the whole body copes with this asynchronous deterioration, and how the later diverges in old individuals, remains elusive	A multidisciplinary and integrated approach is recommended, in organisms ranging from simple models to humans, aiming to address the question of how ageing is modulated at system level. The fact that the rate of ageing differs considerably between tissues is of high clinical relevance. Understanding the basic molecular mechanisms responsible for asynchronous ageing and the natural mechanisms that might counteract these deteriorations will provide the basis for novel diagnostic, preventive and therapeutic strategies. This programme could be supported through an INTEGRATIVE PROJECT: “Call text—LSH: Asynchrony in tissue ageing”
Intrinsic as well as external (nutrition and environment) factors regulate the progression and conditions of ageing and age related disease by modulating gene expression at epigenetic and posttranscriptional level. In the post-genomic era, it is becoming increasingly clear that epigenetic factors are critical determinants of ageing in diverse organisms ranging from yeast to humans. Epigenetic modulation of ageing has not been systematically addressed so far	Epigenetic contributions to ageing and age-related dysfunctions and diseases should be studied in a comprehensive way. This should be done in an integrated, multidisciplinary approach, using experimental systems ranging from simple animal models to humans, in order to address the question of how ageing is modulated by epigenetic mechanisms. Experimental models should be developed in a way allowing the translation of basic research into health care at different levels, including preventative care, diagnosis and therapeutics. This knowledge would add significantly to the competitiveness of European ageing research. This programme could be supported through an INTEGRATIVE PROJECT: “Call text—LSH: Epigenetic modulation of ageing processes”