Telomeres are protective caps (stretches of DNA) at the end of chromosomes. As we age, cells will divide for growth and repair, and telomeres will progressively become worn away, becoming shorter and shorter in length. Eventually when telomeres become really short, a cell loses the ability to divide, which we call "cell senescence". Increased rates of cell senescence means our bodies can less readily repair themselves when damaged because they can no longer make new, healthy cells.The rates at which telomeres shorten are affected by both genetic factors and environmental factors. Premature shortening of telomeres relative to one’s age is associated with all-cause mortality, as well as risk for age-related diseases and associated risk factors, including: cardiovascular disease, coronary artery disease, type-2 diabetes, major depression, chronic low-grade inflammation (“inflamm-aging”), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and Alzheimer’s disease, amongst others.

Childhood represents a period of accelerated cell division, and consequently telomeres can shorten up to four times faster in children compared to adults. There is compelling evidence to suggest that environmental traumas during this critical period of early life result in persistently shortened telomeres and may even influence the trajectory of telomere shortening through to adulthood. Consequently, designing optimal environments for children (e.g. low stress, optimal diets, exercise regimes, living environments etc.) may halter premature ageing and reduce risk for disease in later life.

This project attempts to better understand which early environments protect from telomere shortening and promote healthy ageing across the life course.