Telomere Length Dynamics in Relation to Changes in Adiposity and Metabolic Risk

The study examines serial measures of leukocyte telomere length, a biomarker of cellular aging in over 1700 adults in the Fels Longitudinal Study to test the cumulative relationship of weight and adiposity gains at different points in the lifecourse on aging. Telomerase activity, an enzyme responsible for restoring loss of telomeric DNA will also be measured in a cross-sectional subset and SNP data will be used to assess genetic associations with telomere length and telomerase activity. Mendelian Randomization and other approaches will be utilized to asess whether identified associations are likely causal.

Subcontract Direct Costs in 2019: $39,064