Longevity Research Wiki
A hierarchical knowledge base for aging biology, longevity research, and cellular mechanisms.
Core Concepts
Theoretical frameworks for understanding aging:
- De-Darwinization - How evolution suppresses evolution within organisms
- Death Pact - The multicellular contract limiting cellular autonomy
- Replicative Credit - Investment in high-fidelity DNA replication
- SCANDAL Hypothesis - Why sea creatures die when cells could survive
- Principal-Agent Problem - Managing 37 trillion cellular agents
Theories
Evolutionary frameworks for understanding aging:
- Selection Shadow Theory - Why natural selection tolerates aging
- Antagonistic Pleiotropy Theory - Genes beneficial early, harmful later
- Disposable Soma Theory - Resource allocation trade-offs
- Defensive Degeneration Theory - Aging as cancer prevention
Biological Mechanisms
Key cellular and molecular processes:
- Cellular Senescence - Controlled cellular aging
- p53 Guardian - The genome’s primary tumor suppressor
- Telomeres - Chromosomal aging timers
- Weismann Barrier - Separating soma from germline
- Immune Surveillance - Policing rogue cells
Model Organisms
Cancer Lineages
- CTVT - 11,000-year-old dog cancer
- DFTD - Tasmanian Devil Facial Tumor
- HeLa - Henrietta Lacks immortal cells
Research Models
- C. elegans - Nematode aging research
- Drosophila - Fruit fly longevity studies
- Mouse - Mammalian aging models
Comparative Biology
- Whales - Large mammals and cancer resistance
- Naked Mole Rat - Extreme longevity rodent
- Hydra - Biological immortality
Animal Models
Research organisms used in longevity studies:
- Vertebrates - Mammals, fish, birds for aging research
- Invertebrates - C. elegans, Drosophila, simple models
- Cell Lines - Immortalized and primary cell cultures
Proteins of Interest
Key molecular players in aging and longevity:
- Tumor Suppressors - p53, Rb, and cellular guardians
- Growth Factors - IGF-1, mTOR, growth signaling
- Transcription Factors - Gene expression regulators
- Enzymes - Telomerase, DNA repair, metabolic enzymes
Research Areas
- Foundational Studies - Classic papers that established the field
- Recent Advances - Latest developments and findings
- By Topic - Organized by research focus
Key Papers
Essential research publications:
- Foundational Papers - Field-defining studies
- Recent Papers - Latest publications
- By Year - Chronological organization
- By Author - Organized by research groups
Key Researchers
Profiles of major contributors to longevity research.
Biochemical Pathways
Core signaling networks:
- IGF-1 - Growth signaling and longevity
- mTOR - Mechanistic target of rapamycin
- Autophagy - Cellular recycling and maintenance
This wiki extracts and organizes concepts from “[The Price of Not Being Cancer](../posts/The Price of Not Being Cancer.md)” and other longevity research.