Scientists may have figured out how to extend life by 80 percent
Scientists may have worked out how to extend lifespan by 80 PERCENT – in lab study of cells
Scientists may have figured out how to rewire our biological clocks, which could be a breakthrough.
A team from the University of California San Diego has shown for the first time that it is possible to hijack a genetic pathway involved in cellular aging.
They were able to extend the lifespan of yeast cells by more than 80 percent and see no reason why the same couldn’t be done with more complex human cells.
It comes amid a growing belief among some scientists that aging is a disease that can be treated.
Scientists at the University of California San Diego extended the lifespan of the single-celled organisms with a biosynthetic ‘clock’
An increasing number of high-profile people have spoken out in favor of certain biohacking measures to extend their lifespan, including 51-year-old actress Brooke Burke, former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, soccer legend Tom Brady, and technology mogul Bryan Johnson
The researchers wrote in the paper: ‘Our work represents a proof-of-concept, demonstrating the successful application of synthetic biology to reprogram the cellular aging process and may provide the foundation for designing synthetic gene circuits to effectively promote longevity. in more complex organisms. ‘
Human cells work like mini-factories that carry out all the important processes our bodies need to live.
The problem is that these chemical reactions can generate toxic waste products, which gradually build up and damage our DNA and other cellular components as we age.
That’s why our bodies have come up with methods to close these cells before they do any damage.
In the UC San Diego study, published in the journal Science on Thursday, the team used yeast cells as a model for the aging process.
This is because the natural genetic circuitry in yeast cells causes them to bind to an age-related state and age in a manner similar to human cells.
Cellular aging in yeast is seen through a genetic switch that either causes the shattering of the cell’s protein-making properties or impairs the cell’s energy production — the mitochondria.
One of these pathways will cause the death of the cell and it is arbitrary which one will occur.
In a normal cell, these pathways stop each other because the presence of one cancels out the presence of the other.
However, the UC San Diego researchers created a new genetic circuit that allowed these cells to regularly switch between two aging mechanisms, preventing them from aging at their normal rate.
These cells lived 82 percent longer than cells that had not been tampered with.
While the study was conducted using a small, single-celled fungus used to make bread, the team is trying to replicate their research in different human cell types such as stem cells and neurons.
While it wouldn’t be possible to live forever, scientists may be able to extend people’s lives.
The concept of turning back the clock is becoming increasingly popular. Biohacking is an umbrella term that encompasses many techniques – for some, it may involve fasting, ice baths, or a rigorous supplement routine.
For the more hardcore followers – especially those with deep pockets – it involves more invasive procedures, such as injecting modified DNA, using brainwave altering devices to improve sleep, and inserting microchips under the skin to store password information. to beat.