title: Gerontology research in Georgia.
abstract: Gerontology research carried out in different scientific centers of Georgia follows the basic directions of most work in this field: epidemiology, investigation of the mechanisms of aging, and finding ways to prevent senile pathologies and to prolong life. The genealogy and epidemiology of long-living peaple have been studied in areas with high occurrence of these people by considering the sex ratio and social status of the long-living, the influence of environmental factors, and the development of senile pathologies. According to the centrosome (centriole) model of aging, the centrosomes and the cytoskeleton, important structures in cellular differentiation and morphogenesis, may be involved in the initiation of the replication senescence mechanism. Our analysis of genetic studies shows that progressive chromosome heterochromatinization (condensation of eu- and heterochromatin regions) occurs in aging. Decreases in the repair processes and increases in the frequency of chromosome aberrations during aging are secondary to this progressive chromosome heterochromatinization. Chromosome heterochromatinization is a key factor in aging but may be reversible under the influence of bioregulators, some chemical substances, and heavy metal salts. The study of chromosome heterochromatinization may provide clues to the potential for prolonging the human lifespan.
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetics, Tbilisi State University, Georgia. lezhavat@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Teimuraz
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lezhava
authors.forename: Jamlet
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Monaselidze
authors.forename: Tina
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Jokhadze
authors.forename: Nona
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kakauridze
authors.forename: Nodar
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Khodeli
authors.forename: Mamanti
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rogava
authors.forename: Tamara
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bochorishvili
authors.forename: Maia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gorgoshidze
authors.forename: Dato
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Khachidze
authors.forename: Eteri
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lomidze
authors.forename: Jaba
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tkemaladze
authors.forename: Kote
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Chichinadze
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Koridze
authors.forename: Rusudan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Khukhuneishvili
authors.forename: Nato
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Zosidze
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nagervadze
authors.forename: Tamara
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Buadze
authors.forename: Maia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gaiozishvili
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000235:genetics; D018385:Centrosome; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D004260:DNA Repair; D005846:Georgia (Republic); D005853:Geriatrics; D006570:Heterochromatin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D009154:Mutation; D012106:Research
chemical_list: D006570:Heterochromatin