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DNA methylation (DNAm) is a key mechanism for regulating gene expression in animals and levels are known to change with age. Recent studies have used DNAm changes as a biomarker to estimate chronological age in humans and these techniques are now also being applied to domestic and wild animals. Animal age is widely used to track ongoing changes in ecosystems, however chronological age information is often unavailable for wild animals. An ability to estimate age would lead to improved monitoring of (i) population trends and status and (ii) demographic properties such as age structure and reproductive performance. Recent studies have revealed new examples of DNAm age association in several new species increasing the potential for developing DNAm age biomarkers for a broad range of wild animals. Emerging technologies for measuring DNAm will also enhance our ability to study age-related DNAm changes and to develop new molecular age biomarkers.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Keywords:	ageing, conservation, ecology, epigenetics, methylation, wild animals
Research Division:	Environmental Sciences
Research Group:	Environmental biotechnology
Research Field:	Biodiscovery
Objective Division:	Environmental Management
Objective Group:	Management of Antarctic and Southern Ocean environments
Objective Field:	Assessment and management of Antarctic and Southern Ocean ecosystems
UTAS Author:	De Paoli-Iseppi, R (Mr Ricardo De Paoli-Iseppi)
UTAS Author:	Deagle, BE (Dr Bruce Deagle)
UTAS Author:	Hindell, MA (Professor Mark Hindell)
UTAS Author:	Dickinson, JL (Professor Joanne Dickinson)
ID Code:	121351
Year Published:	2017
Web of Science® Times Cited:	34
Deposited By:	Menzies Institute for Medical Research
Deposited On:	2017-09-26
Last Modified:	2018-06-22
Downloads:	136 View Download Statistics