Elucidating environmental context-dependent genetic variation related to aging and lifespan in humans
Lifespan and aging-related processes in humans are complex traits, meaning that they are impacted by both genetic and environmental factors. Studies in humans have identified some genetic factors associated with lifespan and aging, but these studies may be missing aging-related genes that are dependent on environmental context. For Dr. Johnson's project, she plans plan to use two large-scale biobanks to investigate interactions between genes and four environmental factors known to be important for lifespan, healthspan, and aging: diet, physical activity, sleep, and social connectedness. She will then characterize the environmental context-dependent genes according to their biological function and evolutionary history (e.g., evidence of being under recent selection pressures, or whether the gene is evolutionarily conserved across species). This research will improve our understanding of the complex genetic architecture of lifespan and aging-related traits and provide insight into pathways for healthy aging.
