Jena, 06.09.2026. Chronological age often deviates significantly from the actual condition of the human body. Scientists at the Jena-based Leibniz Institute on Aging – Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI) have now introduced a new method to determine biological age with high precision using blood samples.
- Event: Introduction of the new “TFMethyl Clock” for determining biological age
- Research Institution: Leibniz Institute on Aging – Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI) Jena
- Scientific Basis: Study of 7,803 blood samples in the journal Nucleic Acids Research
- Key Findings: Significant correlations with inflammatory markers and lipid metabolism
Every year, we grow twelve months older in mathematical terms, but physical wear and tear varies individually. To make this process measurable, modern genetics relies on epigenetic clocks. Researchers examine so-called DNA methylations – chemical changes to the genome that change characteristically over the course of a lifetime.
The functionality of the “TFMethyl Clock” explained
Conventional epigenetic clocks often use DNA sites that correlate statistically with age, but whose exact biological function remains unclear. The team of researchers from Jena took a different approach. For the newly developed “TFMethyl Clock,” the working group focused specifically on regions in the genome where so-called transcription factors bind. These proteins control gene activity.
From more than 250,000 markers examined, the team filtered out 14,006 particularly relevant sites. In subsequent tests with independent control groups, the biological age calculated by the clock deviated by a median of only about two years from the subjects’ actual age. This makes the new model more precise than many previously established methods.
Connection to inflammation and lipid metabolism
The biological processes behind the selected gene markers are particularly revealing. The analysis by the Jena researchers showed that two functional groups in particular were prevalent among the target genes:
- Signaling pathways related to the inflammatory messenger interleukin-1β
- Metabolic processes of long-chain fatty acids, represented by genes such as ELOVL2
Of the 267 target genes analyzed, approximately 75 percent showed age-dependent activity that can change with varying intensity during different life stages. For example, certain genes show only minor changes before the age of 50, while their activity drops or increases significantly after the age of 60.
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Science guide on aging and longevity
In-depth insights into modern aging research and epigenetic mechanisms.
Background: Cutting-edge research at the Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI)
The Leibniz Institute on Aging – Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI) in Jena is the first German research institution dedicated exclusively to the biomedical study of the molecular causes of human aging. Named after the Jena-born Nobel laureate Fritz Lipmann, international teams work here on questions regarding tissue regeneration, genome stability, and age-related diseases. The findings contribute significantly to a better understanding of age-associated diseases and to more targeted therapies in the future.
No direct proof of causality
Despite the high precision and new insights, the scientists emphasize that the data does not provide direct proof of causality. The study relies primarily on blood samples, and regulatory processes may differ in other tissues of the body. Nevertheless, the “TFMethyl Clock” provides valuable clues as to which molecular mechanisms are closely linked to human aging. Further studies in different tissues are planned to validate the results in the future.
Source:
How old is your body really? New DNA clock from Jena provides surprisingly accurate answers
Transparency note: This article was created automatically, editorially reviewed, and expanded with AI assistance.