Autophagy & Longevity refers to the field that studies the relationship between autophagy and lifespan (Longevity).
Autophagy is a process in which cells decompose and recycle their own components. It mainly removes and decomposes old, damaged or harmful substances in cells, such as proteins, organelles, etc., and then reuses them into nutrients or energy. This process is important for maintaining cellular homeostasis and life and health.
Life span refers to the time elapsed by an organism from birth to death. Many factors can influence an organism's lifespan, including genetics, environment, lifestyle, and more.
An increasing number of studies have shown that there is a close connection between autophagy and lifespan. Some studies have found that overexpression of autophagy genes can extend the lifespan of organisms such as yeast, fruit flies and mice. Conversely, mutations in some autophagy-related genes may lead to shortened lifespan. These studies suggest that autophagy may have an impact on lifespan.
Therefore, the Autophagy & Longevity research field focuses on how autophagy affects lifespan and how autophagy can be used to extend lifespan. Research in this field helps to gain a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of cell aging and death, and provides new ideas and directions for anti-aging and life-extending research.