Whole-genome 8-OHdG map in Caenorhabditis elegans

The underlying cause of aging remains one of the central mysteries of biology. With the mission of reversing the aging clock and gaining the rejuvenation, scientists have been investigating the cause of aging for decades. C. elegans is one of the well-established premiere model systems for aging research due to its short lifespan with relatively small genome size and simple body plan. Hence, studying the genetic basis of longevity and healthy aging in model organisms will provide important biological insight to prolong the youthfulness and lifespan. Here, we for the first time report the whole genomic oxidative landscape in C. elegans of different age groups at single-base resolution using SMRT sequencing technology. We found an age-specific pattern of 8-OHdG modification in terms of motifs, chromosomal distribution, and genomic regions.