Lage

LAge (Lifespan and Aging Genetics Exchange) is an international nonprofit organization and data-sharing platform focused on aging and lifespan genetics. Established in the early 2010s by a network of researchers, clinicians, and patient advocates, LAge aims to accelerate discovery by enabling cross-study collaboration, data harmonization, and open access to de-identified datasets within privacy guidelines. The organization operates a central repository for genetic, epigenetic, and phenotypic data linked to aging outcomes, with governance that supports responsible data sharing across institutions and countries.

LAge coordinates large-scale studies and meta-analyses that examine genetic and molecular determinants of aging, pathways involved in age-related diseases, and variation in healthy lifespan across populations. It develops and promotes data standards, ontologies, and analytical pipelines to improve reproducibility. Education and training programs for researchers and clinicians are offered, along with annual symposia and workshops.

Funding typically comes from member institutions, government grants, and philanthropic sources. The governance includes a board of directors, a scientific advisory council, and an ethics and privacy committee to oversee consent, de-identification, and risk assessment. The reception of LAge emphasizes its role in fostering collaboration and data sharing, though challenges include ensuring diverse population representation and navigating data access controls. Related topics include aging, gerontology, genomics, and open science.