Aging, as we tend to understand it through chronological dating, is the primary driver behind many chronic diseases. But chronological age and biological age can differ, as some people age more rapidly or slower than others. Biomarker tools that can reliably estimate a patient’s biological age could support preventive health strategies.

Aging clocks estimate biological age from age-responsive features, and differences from chronological age can reflect the pace of aging. DNA methylation models pioneered aging clocks and found associations with morbidity and all-cause mortality risk, while microRNAs from blood, plasma and skin can add a layer of post-transcriptional regulation linked to age-related disorders.