# Epigenetic Clocks, Resilience, and Multi-Omics Ageing: A Review and the EpiAge-R Conceptual Framework

**Authors:** Hidekazu Yamada

PMC · DOI: 10.3390/ijms27041908 · International Journal of Molecular Sciences · 2026-02-17

## TL;DR

This paper introduces EpiAge-R, a new framework that measures biological resilience and aging by combining multiple layers of genomic data.

## Contribution

EpiAge-R introduces a novel framework that integrates multi-omics data to quantify biological resilience and aging.

## Key findings

- EpiAge-R combines methylation, chromatin, and mitochondrial data into a Resilience Index.
- The framework distinguishes between methylation drift and repair processes in aging.
- EpiAge-R aims to improve biomarkers for precision longevity interventions.

## Abstract

Epigenetic clocks have successfully estimated biological age by identifying CpG sites whose DNA methylation levels correlate with chronological age. However, these statistical models provide limited mechanistic insight into the biological underpinnings of ageing. While they capture the “pace” of ageing, they fail to quantify the “resilience” of biological systems—the capacity to recover, reorganize, and maintain homeostasis under stress. To overcome this limitation, we introduce EpiAge-R (Epigenetic Age with Resilience), a mechanistic framework that shifts the focus from passive correlation to active recovery potential. The EpiAge-R framework integrates multilayered biological information—including long-read methylation sequencing, chromatin context, histone modification balance, 3D genome topology, and mitochondrial dynamics—into a unified Resilience Index. By distinguishing between degenerative methylation drift (damage) and adaptive repair processes (resilience), EpiAge-R aligns with nonlinear multi-omics ageing trajectories. This framework provides a quantitative foundation for next-generation biomarkers and precision longevity interventions, aiming to define optimal health rather than statistical normality.

## Full-text entities

- **Genes:** IL6 (interleukin 6) [NCBI Gene 3569] {aka BSF-2, BSF2, CDF, HGF, HSF, IFN-beta-2}, IL10 (interleukin 10) [NCBI Gene 3586] {aka CSIF, GVHDS, IL-10, IL10A, TGIF}, PRKAA1 (protein kinase AMP-activated catalytic subunit alpha 1) [NCBI Gene 5562] {aka AMPK, AMPK alpha 1, AMPKa1}, CGAS (cyclic GMP-AMP synthase) [NCBI Gene 115004] {aka C6orf150, D4, MB21D1, h-cGAS}, FOXO3 (forkhead box O3) [NCBI Gene 2309] {aka AF6q21, FKHRL1, FKHRL1P2, FOXO2, FOXO3A}, EZH2 (enhancer of zeste 2 polycomb repressive complex 2 subunit) [NCBI Gene 2146] {aka ENX-1, ENX1, EZH2b, KMT6, KMT6A, WVS}, LMNA (lamin A/C) [NCBI Gene 4000] {aka CDCD1, CDDC, CMD1A, CMT2B1, EMD2, FPL}, OXTR (oxytocin receptor) [NCBI Gene 5021] {aka OT-R, OTR}, BDNF (brain derived neurotrophic factor) [NCBI Gene 627] {aka ANON2, BULN2}, STING1 (stimulator of interferon response cGAMP interactor 1) [NCBI Gene 340061] {aka ERIS, MITA, MPYS, NET23, SAVI, STING}, DNMT1 (DNA methyltransferase 1) [NCBI Gene 1786] {aka ADCADN, AIM, CXXC9, DNMT, HSN1E, MCMT}, SIRT1 (sirtuin 1) [NCBI Gene 23411] {aka SIR2, SIR2L1, SIR2alpha}, TRBV20OR9-2 (T cell receptor beta variable 20/OR9-2 (non-functional)) [NCBI Gene 6962] {aka CDR3, TCRBV20S2, TCRBV2O, TCRBV2S2O}
- **Diseases:** injury to (MESH:D014947), Inflammation (MESH:D007249), glucocorticoid (MESH:C564221), viral infection (MESH:D014777), hip fracture (MESH:D006620), mitochondrial dysfunction (MESH:D028361), infection (MESH:D007239), HPA- (MESH:D010661), cognitive decline (MESH:D003072), Damage (MESH:D020263), frailty (MESH:D000073496)
- **Chemicals:** OSKM (-), melatonin (MESH:D008550), 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (MESH:C011865), cortisol (MESH:D006854), DHEA-S (MESH:D003687)
- **Species:** Mus musculus (house mouse, species) [taxon 10090], Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

## Full text

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## Figures

4 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12940517/full.md

## References

70 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12940517/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12940517