Jim Kovach has spent years seeking the secrets of aging as president of Marin County’s Buck Institute for Age Research.

Now he’s helped start a new Oakland company with a different quest: Finding the sports gene.

Kovach, a pro football linebacker before he was a scientist, has teamed up with a leading Duke University genetic researcher and two other NFL veterans, including venture capitalist Alex Bernstein, to found Athleticode. The Oakland startup’s aim: Study athletes’ DNA so players can improve performance and avoid injury.

Athleticode will scan the genetic code in a sample of a player’s spit to test for myriad characteristics. They hope to indicate whether an athlete has a high propensity for concussions, heat stroke, heart arrhythmia, torn tendons or other injury. It also plans to identify whether the player has genes associated with advanced agility, endurance, nutrient absorption or flexibility.

DNAWellnessinfo.com Resource:  http://sanfrancisco.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/stories/2009/11/02/story3.html?b=1257138000%255E2353231