We all grow older and are affected by age-related declines in health and cognitive function. In recent years, large investments have been made in aging research to identify interventions that slow down the process or even try to reverse it; however, no potential anti-aging solutions have yet emerged that have had a significant impact. As we reach the halfway point in the UN Decade of Healthy Aging, the time seems ripe to look at what we know about the biological processes that underlie aging and how they could be harnessed in the future. This collection of articles explores different aspects of the aging process, highlighting the research underpinning our current knowledge and looking towards the future of the field. Articles cover topics including rejuvenation, aging across the life course, the influence of sex and aging on the immune system, the aging microbiome, ovarian aging, stem cells in the aging brain, and medical advances in longevity. The image shows “The three ages of woman” (“Die drei Lebensalter der Frau”) by Gustav Klimt. Mair et al. 2026

Image Credit: Gustav Klimt