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Chemistry of ageing


Gerontology has traditionally been dominated by biological research groups. In recent years, the potential impact of chemical analysis and small molecule interventions has become widely recognised, and there are now a growing number of chemists undertaking ageing research. Research into ageing spans the full range chemistry. Advanced analytical and physical techniques are being used to observe age-related changes in living organisms. Equally, novel synthetic and medicinal chemistry is generating small molecule tools for the dissection of complex biological pathways, as well as potential life- and health-span extending therapeutics.

This thematic issue on the chemistry of ageing covered topics such as: glycation, oxidative stress and other degenerative processes; cellular senescence, mechanistic dissection and interventions; telomerase inhibitors and activators; small molecules with life-extending activity such as resveratrol and rapamycin; and novel methods for mining complex cohort and life-course data.

Editor: Dr Elizabeth Ostler


  1. Age-associated neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease are a major public health challenge, due to the demographic increase in the proportion of older individuals in society. However, the relat...

    Authors: Xi Chen, Jeff W. Barclay, Robert D. Burgoyne and Alan Morgan
    Citation: Chemistry Central Journal 2015 9:65
    Content type: Review Published on:

  2. Ageing is associated with gastrointestinal dysfunction, which can have a major impact on quality of life of the elderly. A number of changes in the innervation of the gut during ageing have been reported, incl...

    Authors: Kris Korsak, Nazanin F Dolatshad, Ayona T Silva and M Jill Saffrey
    Citation: Chemistry Central Journal 2012 6:80
    Content type: Research article Published on:

  3. Human skin, in common with other organs, ages as a consequence of the passage of time, but in areas exposed to solar ultraviolet radiation, the effects of this intrinsic ageing process are exacerbated. In part...

    Authors: Sarah A Thurstan, Neil K Gibbs, Abigail K Langton, Christopher EM Griffiths, Rachel EB Watson and Michael J Sherratt
    Citation: Chemistry Central Journal 2012 6:34
    Content type: Review Published on:

  4. Coumarin derivatives exhibit a wide range of biological properties including promising antioxidant activity. Furthermore, microwave-assisted organic synthesis has delivered rapid routes to N- and O-containing het...

    Authors: Hasnah Osman, Afsheen Arshad, Chan Kit Lam and Mark C Bagley
    Citation: Chemistry Central Journal 2012 6:32
    Content type: Research article Published on:

  5. In the upper bowel, alterations in motility and absorption of key nutrients have been observed as part of the normal ageing process. Serotonin (5-HT) is a key signalling molecule in the gastrointestinal tract ...

    Authors: Leena Parmar, Sara Fidalgo, Mark S Yeoman and Bhavik Anil Patel
    Citation: Chemistry Central Journal 2012 6:31
    Content type: Research article Published on:

  6. Various by-products of the cellular metabolism, such as reactive carbonyl species (RCS) are potentially harmful to cells and tissues, and play a role in many physiological and pathological processes. Among var...

    Authors: Simon Asbjørn Larsen, Moustapha Kassem and Suresh IS Rattan
    Citation: Chemistry Central Journal 2012 6:18
    Content type: Research article Published on:

  7. Fibroblasts derived from the progeroid Werner syndrome show reduced replicative lifespan and a "stressed" morphology, both alleviated using the MAP kinase inhibitor SB203580. However, interpretation of these d...

    Authors: Terence Davis, Matthew C Dix, Michal J Rokicki, Amy JC Brook, Caroline S Widdowson, David Kipling and Mark C Bagley
    Citation: Chemistry Central Journal 2011 5:83
    Content type: Preliminary communication Published on: