Old and new models for the study of human ageing

Human ageing is associated with high susceptibility to disease. Some aspects of ageing can be studied directly in humans and have revealed that ageing is influenced by many factors, including genetics, lifestyle, sex and socio-economic status. But identifying the factors that cause and modulate the ageing process often requires experimental interventions and modelling that can only be performed in model systems. Anne Brunet discusses the different model organisms that are used for the study of ageing mechanisms and their advantages and disadvantages.