Ageing is a major socio-economic problem. It leads to a consecutive worsening of the overall organismal health which in turn results in a steady increase of public expenses in medical and social fields. The overall life expectancy is steadily increasing, and the growing number of elderly people turns into a considerable burden. Therefore, it is of utmost importance for all governments to assure healthy ageing of elderly people, which seems like an impossible task without fully understanding the general mechanisms of ageing. For many years and even for decades, it has been a challenge for scientists in the field of gerontology.

Ageing is a complex biological process which leads to the loss of the functionality of multiple organ systems and to increased susceptibility to stress and age-associated maladies like cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, diabetes, etc. It is also associated with increased incidence of genetic mutations and prevalence of chronic diseases which finally lead to functional dependence and inadequate life. Determined by a combination of genetic and environmental factors, the process of ageing is highly individualized. However, its fine molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. Extensive studies are under way with the main emphasis being set on the elucidation of the intimate molecular mechanisms of the ageing process. Discussing our current understanding of common ageing features could be a major step towards the development and application of specific pharmaceutical approaches. The main goal would be to ameliorate, slow and successfully manipulate the process of getting old.

The aim of this Special Issue is to bring together original research and review articles discussing the molecular aspects of cellular ageing.

Potential topics include but are not limited to the following:

• Molecular mechanisms of cellular ageing
• Molecular markers of cellular ageing
• Mechanisms of biological and chronological ageing
• Chromatin structure and dynamics as major players in ageing
• Gene expression and epigenetic changes in chromatin during ageing
• New targets in anticancer therapy
• Premature ageing syndrome and age-associated diseases in the context of chromatin
• Lifestyle and cellular ageing
• Nutrition, epigenetics, and ageing
• Ageing, cancer, and senescence