Disease and tissue aging are thought to be influenced by genetic changes, or mutations, acquired throughout life. These mutations provide clues regarding the genetic damage that occurred through the lifetime of the patient, and include mutations caused by environmental factors such as ultraviolet light from sunlight or tobacco smoke affecting the skin or internal tissues, respectively. Other mutations may occur due to errors in copying the genome as cells divide. Improvements in technologies that read the genetic code have made it possible for all or selected parts of the genetic code of a human being to be "sequenced", allowing mutations (changes in the genetic code) to be detected.
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The study will measure the burden of somatic mutations in tissues and how this varies between controls and patients.
Timeframe: 10 years
The specific mutations in genes and their prevalence will be determined.
Timeframe: 10 years