Scientists, who are in pursuit of prolonging human life by preventing aging, have signed an extremely important study. Harvard University School of Medicine, Dr. Research led by David Sinclair and Paul F. Glenn et al. was able to accelerate and slow down the aging process.
The success has been possible by focusing on a different point, unlike most research to date. Instead of mutations in DNA, scientists this time focused on epigenetics.
Mice are aged first, then rejuvenated!
The team genetically modified a group of mice for a trial on mammals. This change would allow the enzyme in the body to cut DNA at 20 different locations in the genome when mice were given a particular drug.
The basis of this study has a history of 20 years. David Sinclair argued that aging is caused by cells ‘losing’ vital information to continue doing their job. This information was presented by hereditary genes.
According to the theory, cells could not repair their genes as time passed due to losing information. The more genomic damage accumulated, the lower their repair abilities were.
Thanks to the drug used in the study, the cuts made in the DNA through the enzyme were also for this test. The test showed parallel effects with David’s theory; The mice lost their hair within weeks, and within months began to show signs of fragility and tissue aging.
The aging process was reversible:
The next step was to see if aging could be reversed in mice. To test this, scientists injected ‘aged-looking’ mice with Adeno-associated virus carrying the OSK gene. This mixture was a method that has only just been proven effective in epigenetic reprogramming.
In the observations made, in the muscles, kidneys and retinas of mice; It was seen that the epigenetic changes caused by the damage caused by the DNA cuts made in the first place can be reversed. This revealed that the aging of an animal can be “controlled at will”.
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