Epigenetic clock for skin and blood cells applied to Hutchinson Gilford Progeria Syndrome and ex vivo studies

Researchers created an epigenetic clock, a DNA pattern test that estimates biological age, using skin and blood samples. They tested it on cells from people with Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome, a rare condition that causes signs of aging in childhood, and on cells grown in the laboratory. The test generally followed the person’s actual age, but progeria cells did not show a simple, reliable pattern of being much older. Growing cells outside the body also changed their age readings, showing that laboratory conditions matter.

What this means for you: This was a laboratory study, not a test of a treatment or consumer age test. It does not provide a reason to buy an epigenetic-age product or change what you do, and its findings may not apply broadly to healthy people.