The nematode C. elegans has proven to be an invaluable model organism for identifying mechanisms that influence longevity, and may be conserved across species. Recently considerable interest has been focused on how aging is influenced by the target of rapamycin (TOR) signaling pathway. TOR is an enzyme that regulates numerous proteins...

While many factors contribute to longevity, studies over the last decade have revealed particularly important roles for the activity of the insulin and IGF-1 signaling systems. Indeed, these signaling systems have been shown to play a role in control of lifespan in organisms as diverse as worms, flies, mice and humans. These are the same...