Identification of regulatory genomic networks underlying skin ageing

Deciphering which mRNA or epigenetic changes with age contribute to ageing rather than are a consequence of ageing is extremely difficult. However, DNA sequence variants that associate with ageing traits are likely to be causal, because genetic variants do not change with age. How genetic variants precisely affect regulation of nearby genes and potential downstream targets needs further study. Hence,

unravelling the complex network of epigenetic and expression pathways associated with ageing-related genetic variation is useful in determining how causal gene variants influence age-related processes in cells.