Ageing and the small, non-coding RNA world

► MicroRNAs regulate lifespan through the control of conserved genetic pathways. ► MicroRNAs respond to environmental perturbations. ► Age-associated microRNAs predict for future longevity. ► tRNA-derived shorter fragments have a new regulatory role in the stress response. ► The RNA editing machinery acts in double-stranded RNA-mediated gene silencing. ► These multiple layers in gene regulatory mechanisms may stabilize genetic networks in ageing.