Abstract
An animal model for experiments in extending life span is needed that is phylogenetically closer to humans than rodents. Although short-lived species are more convenient for research, microarray analysis of age-related changes in gene expression can facilitate study of animals with medium length life spans. Data from 1,774 animals reveals that tree shrews have a life span of 10–14 years. Due to their evolutionary relation to Primates they were considered as a possible animal model for life extension studies. Biological differences with humans make them not ideal as a general research model, but these differences may provide useful information in understanding human pathology and physiological decline with age. Novel methods of statistical analysis potentially useful in selection of a model species for aging research are proposed.
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