Harvard scientist claims to reverse aging in mice wow

In summary, the study found that the activity of telomerase can reverse some of the symptoms of aging. However, it is not clear how much telomere erosion contributes to aging in humans, and if telomere erosion is a major cause of aging in humans, this work may not provide such a good "cure" for aging.
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  • #2
Here's the http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nature09603 [Broken] to the actual study, published in the journal Nature.

The claim of reversing aging is not really correct. The researchers created mice where they could turn the activity of an enzyme, telomerase, on or off. Telomerase is an enzyme that is important in maintaining the ends of chromosomes (called telomeres), which gradually erode as the cell divides. Mice that lack telomerase activity have eroded telomeres and show certain symptoms, such as damage to their internal organs, shrinking of brain tissue, and loss of vigor, that seem to match some of the symptoms of aging. The question is, are these symptoms of eroded telomeres permanent or will restoring the telomeres to their normal length reverse these symptoms?

To answer this question the used their mice that contained the on/off switch to control telomerase activity. They switched telomerase off to generate mice showing symptoms of telomere erosion. When they switched telomerase on again, these symptoms disappeared. Thus, this study shows that the symptoms of telomere erosion can be reversed by the activity of the telomerase enzyme (a result that is not so surprising, but useful to prove experimentally).

What significance does this have to aging in humans? It's not clear how much telomere erosion contributes to aging in humans. If telomere erosion is a major cause of aging in humans, then this work could potentially lead to therapies to reverse aging in humans (however, the techniques they use to reactivate telomerase would not work in humans, so we'd need to find new ways to increase telomerase activity in humans). However, if telomere erosion is not a major cause of aging in humans, this work may not provide such a good "cure" for aging. Although I'm not an expert in the area, I don't think that telomere erosion is the most important factor in aging, though it may play some small role. Likely, if we are to come up with some therapy to reverse aging, telomerase reactivation would be one small part of a multi-faceted approach that targets many different causes of aging.
 
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  • #3
Maybe also useful to note that it enhances cancer progression.
 
  • #4
Jack the Stri said:
Maybe also useful to note that it enhances cancer progression.

Reminds me of that old original Star Trek episode where people were trying to develop a virus that would slow aging. It worked on children, but killed adults and yougsters as they entered puberty. Of course, the virus spread to the world population and triggered an apocalypse.

I love irony. :smile:
 
  • #5


As a fellow scientist, I find this claim to be quite intriguing. The idea of reversing aging in mice is a significant breakthrough in the field of aging research. However, it is important to approach this claim with caution and skepticism until further evidence and research can validate these findings.

The study conducted by the Harvard scientist is certainly promising, but it is important to note that it was only conducted on mice and not yet replicated in humans. The aging process is complex and multifactorial, and it is unlikely that it can be reversed with one single intervention.

Furthermore, the article does not provide details on the specific methods used to reverse aging in the mice. It is essential for other scientists to be able to replicate and validate these findings in order for them to be considered truly groundbreaking.

While this research is certainly exciting, it is important to approach it with a critical and evidence-based mindset. Further studies and experiments are needed to fully understand the potential of reversing aging in mice and its potential implications for human health.
 

1. How did the Harvard scientist reverse aging in mice?

The Harvard scientist used a combination of genetic manipulation and drug treatments to activate a group of genes called Yamanaka factors, which are known to play a role in cellular aging. By turning on these genes, the scientist was able to essentially reset the age of the cells in the mice, effectively reversing their aging process.

2. Is this research applicable to humans?

While the results of this study are promising, it is important to note that the research was conducted on mice, not humans. Further studies and clinical trials would need to be conducted before we can determine if this approach could be effective in reversing aging in humans.

3. What are the potential implications of this research?

If this research proves to be successful in humans, it could have significant implications for the field of aging and longevity. It could potentially lead to the development of new treatments and therapies for age-related diseases and conditions, as well as prolonging overall lifespan.

4. How does this research fit into the larger scientific understanding of aging?

This research adds to the growing body of evidence that suggests aging is not an inevitable process, but rather a malleable and potentially reversible one. It also highlights the importance of genetic factors in the aging process and the potential for manipulating these factors to slow or reverse aging.

5. What are the next steps for this research?

The Harvard scientist and their team will likely continue their research to further understand the mechanisms behind this reversal of aging in mice. They may also explore potential applications for this approach in humans and potentially conduct clinical trials to test its effectiveness and safety.

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