Benjamin Button For Real? Scientists Are Close To Cracking The Code To Reverse Aging – Worldcrunch
By daniellenierenberg
PARIS Barbra Streisand loved her dog Samantha, aka Sammy. The white and fluffy purebred Coton of Tulear was even present on the steps of the Elyse Palace, the French Presidents official residence, when Streisand received the Legion of Honor in 2007.
As the singer and actress explained inThe New York Times in 2018, she loved Sammy so much that, unable to bring herself to see her pass away, she had the dog cloned by a Texas firm for the modest sum of 50,000 dollars just before she died in 2017, at the age of 14. And that's how Barbra Streisand became the happy owner of Miss Violet and Miss Scarlet, two puppies who are the spitting image of the deceased Samantha.
This may sound like a joke, but there is one deeply disturbing fact that Harvard Medical School genetics professor David A. Sinclair points out in his book Why We Age And Why We Dont Have To. It is that the cloning of an old dog has led to two young puppies.
This proves that DNA ours as well as that of Sammy has everything it takes to restore lost youth. This is a property that could be used to "reverse" aging without having to go through the problematic stage of cloning.
The idea rests on identifying the "reset" button of the organism. And aging specialists all have the same piece of good news to announce: this button has been found.
Its name sounds like a Japanese techno-thriller title: "The Yamanaka factors". But Shinya Yamanaka is not a fictional character. He is a scientist specialized in stem cell research who received the 2012 Nobel Prize in Medicine.
If all this sound a bit too science-fictional, you should know that the U.S. biotech company Altos Labs, which was just founded early this year, received a check of three billion dollars from billionaires Yuri Milner and Jeff Bezos. Not bad for a start-up. But this is a start-up with a very promising technology cellular reprogramming, which is nothing more than the name given by biologists to the famous "reset" button.
In 2006-2007, Yamanaka announced to the scientific community that he had discovered a combination of four genes Oct4, Klf4, Sox2 and c-Myc which, when injected into a cell, induces it to go from being a differentiated cell (nerve, blood, and so on) to being a pluripotent stem cell, i.e., one that can subsequently redevelop into any cell type.
It didn't take long for Yamanaka's colleagues to take advantage of his amazing discovery. In 2011, French researcher Jean-Marc Lematre, who worked at the Institute of Functional Genomics at the University of Montpellier (which never received the same financial support as American biotech company Altos Labs!) was the first to experimentally prove, on human tissues, that cellular aging was a reversible process. He and his team succeeded in transforming aging or senescent human skin cells back into young skin cells.
The process has since been improved, since it is no longer necessary to go through the stage of pluripotent cells which can degenerate into cancerous cells to reverse cellular aging. Interrupting the process before reaching this stage is enough to start the series of gene reactions that counter cellular aging.
But that's not all. Since Lematre's pioneering work, biologists from both sides of the Atlantic have shown that what was possible at the level of the cell is also possible at the level of the organism as a whole. As is often the case, they used mice as guinea pigs. At the end of 2016, in a famous study published by the "Cell" magazine, a professor at the Salk Institute (San Diego, California) Juan Carlos Izpisua Belmonte revealed the more than promising results recorded on genetically modified rodents.
The rodents' genome had been enriched with the Yamanaka factors as well as a small piece of additional genetic code, corresponding to a sort of on-off switch. Controlling the activation of the four genes, this "promoter" was itself activated only if the mouse ingested an antibiotic the doxycycline to be precise.
By prescribing this molecule (and thus activating the Yamanaka factors) two days a week throughout the life of the mice, Belmonte and his team increased their lifespan by 40%. "Aging is no longer a unidirectional process, as we thought. We can slow it down and even reverse it," he announced triumphantly. In a very similar experiment, Jean-Marc Lematre has obtained a more modest lengthening, of 15%, but thanks to a single dose of doxycycline. And above all, insists the French researcher, this "extra" lifespan proved to be free of all age-related diseases: osteoporosis, arthritis, pulmonary or renal fibrosis, etc.
The genetic modification of mice is common practice in labs. But should we do the same with humans to get the same result? There was public outcry in 2018 when Chinese researcher He Jiankui gave birth to twins with tampered genomes the first genetically modified children in history with the objective of giving them resistance to HIV.
How we view "GMO babies" may change over the next few decades. But whether it changes or not, it will not be necessary to go that far to do cell reprogramming in humans. A simple vaccine will probably do the trick.
The Covid-19 pandemic made the public aware that a vaccine whether RNA or DNA could be used as a vector to introduce genetic material into the human body. BioNTech's and Moderna's messenger RNA vaccines do this, but many other "viral vectors" exist, such as adeno-associated viruses (AAVs), small, non-pathogenic DNA viruses commonly used in molecular biology to carry one or more "genes of interest. On paper, there is nothing to prevent these genes of interest from being precisely those highlighted by Yamanaka.
And this is what our near future could look like. Around the age of 30, when we are alas, only temporarily! at the peak of our mental and physical fitness, we would receive one or more injections of this viral vector responsible for carrying Yamanaka's factors into us. Nothing would change in our body yet, as the Yamanaka factors have been programmed to remain silent until activated by the promoter. So we would continue to age normally. The passing of the years would no longer be irreparable!
Indeed, as soon as we would start to feel their first undesirable effects, let's say in our mid-forties, we would be prescribed a month's treatment with doxycycline. And then but only then would the youth therapy kick in. White hair disappearing, wounds healing faster, wrinkles fading, organs regenerating, glasses becoming useless... "Like Benjamin Button," writes David Sinclair, "you would experience the sensations of a 35-year-old. Then 30. Then 25. But unlike Benjamin Button, you would not go beyond that limit, because the statute of limitations would be interrupted... You would be about two decades younger biologically, physically and mentally, without having lost any of your knowledge, wisdom or memories."
Of course, such a possibility, if it becomes a reality and especially if it becomes widespread, will revolutionize large parts of society and will not be without its own tricky problems for a resource-limited planet. But who among us, once we reach a certain age, wouldn't dream of regaining our lost youth, while retaining the "benefits of experience"?
From Your Site Articles
Related Articles Around the Web
See the original post here:
Benjamin Button For Real? Scientists Are Close To Cracking The Code To Reverse Aging - Worldcrunch
- Colossal Creates Elephant Stem Cells for the First Time in Quest to Revive the Woolly Mammoth - Singularity Hub - March 18th, 2024
- Vitamin A could have a key role in both stem cell biology and wound healing: Study - Medical Dialogues - March 10th, 2024
- A dive into the genetic history of India, and the role of vitamin A in skin repair - Science - March 10th, 2024
- Herbosa: Clinic under probe after skin treatments linked to womans death - Philstar.com - January 22nd, 2024
- These Will Be the Biggest Skin-Care Trends of 2024 - Allure - December 28th, 2023
- Sorry, But These 10 Skincare Products Are A Scam - Refinery29 - December 12th, 2023
- Cyclerion Strengthens Board of Directors with Experienced Company Builder and Cutting-edge Innovator - December 4th, 2023
- Aptose Appoints Fletcher Payne Chief Business Officer, Expanding his Executive Role - December 4th, 2023
- Opthea to Present at the FLORetina 2023 Congress - December 4th, 2023
- HUTCHMED Highlights Clinical Data to be Presented at 2023 ESMO Asia and ESMO Immuno-Oncology Congresses - December 4th, 2023
- AC Immune Strengthens Management, Appoints Madiha Derouazi as CSO and Christopher Roberts as CFO - December 4th, 2023
- Publication of a transparency notification received from Tolefi SA (Article 14 §1 of the Law of 2 May 2007) - December 4th, 2023
- Annovis Bio Appoints Andrew Walsh as Vice President Finance - December 4th, 2023
- Foghorn Therapeutics Announces Clinical Data from Phase 1 Study of FHD-286, a Novel BRG1/BRM Inhibitor, in Patients with Advanced Hematologic... - December 4th, 2023
- Akari Therapeutics Appoints Experienced Life Sciences Entrepreneur Samir R. Patel, M.D. to Board of Directors - December 4th, 2023
- Ovid Therapeutics to Present Five Abstracts Supporting its Epilepsy Programs at the 77th American Epilepsy Society Annual Meeting (2023) - December 4th, 2023
- Spectral Medical Announces CFO Departure - December 4th, 2023
- Are STEM CELL EXOSOMES the secret to a 'snatched' jawline? Discover the products that influencers are claiming - Daily Mail - November 18th, 2023
- Defence Mechanisms: Four ways your body is protecting you every time you fall sick - indulgexpress - May 16th, 2023
- Treat Yourself to a Spa Day With a $100 Deal on $600 Worth of Products From Elemis, 111SKIN, Nest & More - E! NEWS - May 16th, 2023
- INTERNATIONAL STEM CELL CORP MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (form 10-K) - Marketscreener.com - April 5th, 2023
- Skin Regeneration: The Science and How to Boost It - Healthline - March 9th, 2023
- Treat Yourself to a Spa Day With a $100 Deal on $600 Worth of Products From Elemis, U Beauty, Nest & More - E! NEWS - March 1st, 2023
- 7-year-old vows to find a cure for brother in need of bone marrow transplant - WJLA - February 21st, 2023
- World's most radioactive man 'cried blood' as his skin melted in 83-day nightmare - Times Now - February 4th, 2023
- How old are you, really? The answer is written on your face. - National Geographic UK - February 4th, 2023
- Skin: Layers, Structure and Function - Cleveland Clinic - January 27th, 2023
- Human skin | Definition, Layers, Types, & Facts | Britannica - January 27th, 2023
- Skin Disorders: Pictures, Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment - Healthline - January 27th, 2023
- Skin care: 5 tips for healthy skin - Mayo Clinic - January 27th, 2023
- Skin Care and Aging | National Institute on Aging - January 27th, 2023
- Wrinkles - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic - January 27th, 2023
- Dry skin - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic - January 27th, 2023
- Stem cells: a brief history and outlook - Science in the News - January 3rd, 2023
- Still Drinking Green Tea? Doctor Reveals A Healthier Drink With Proven Benefits For Diabetes, Aging, Oxidative Stress, And Cancer - Revyuh - January 3rd, 2023
- RUDN Physician And Russian Scientists Investigate Long-term Effects Of Treating Diabetic Ulcers With Stem Cells - India Education Diary - December 25th, 2022
- The Use of Stem Cells in Burn Wound Healing: A Review - Hindawi - December 1st, 2022
- FACTORFIVE Skincare The Power of Stem Cells for Skin - December 1st, 2022
- Embryonic Stem Cells - The Definitive Guide | Biology Dictionary - December 1st, 2022
- From pro soccer hopeful to hip hop artist with illness and addiction along the way, Tymaz Bagbani releases debut album - Toronto Star - December 1st, 2022
- Stem Cells | The ALS Association - November 22nd, 2022
- What is a stem cell? YourGenome - October 29th, 2022
- Skin Cell - The Definitive Guide | Biology Dictionary - October 29th, 2022
- Explora Journeys Plans Extensive Fitness And Well-Being Initiatives At Sea, Right On Trend - Forbes - October 29th, 2022
- Ahead of the holiday shopping season, Amazon kicks off second annual Holiday Beauty Haul on Oct. 24 - KXAN.com - October 21st, 2022
- Human skin color - Wikipedia - October 13th, 2022
- Mesenchymal Stem Cells | Properties, Process, Functions, & Therapies - October 13th, 2022
- Skin Grafting, Cryopreservation, and Diseases: A Review Article - Cureus - October 13th, 2022
- Anti-ageing cosmetics: Can they turn back the hands of the clock? - The Sunday Guardian Live - The Sunday Guardian - October 13th, 2022
- Brennand named Elizabeth Mears and House Jameson Professor of Psychiatry - Yale News - October 13th, 2022
- The Switch to Regenerative Medicine - Dermatology Times - October 13th, 2022
- Last Chance to Get The Collagen-Infused Massage Oil That Moisturizes Skin & Diminishes Cellulite For Less Than $20 - msnNOW - October 13th, 2022
- Addison's Disease Explained: Causes, Symptoms, And Treatments - Health Digest - October 13th, 2022
- Stem Cells Therapy for Autism: Does it Work? - October 5th, 2022
- Stem-like CD8 T cells mediate response of adoptive cell ... - PubMed - October 5th, 2022
- 6 Under Eye Products You Need To Have STAT - Grazia India - October 5th, 2022
- CellResearch Corporation (CRC) to present promising new stem cell products for the treatment of chronic diabetic foot ulcers at the world's premier... - September 27th, 2022
- Reprogramming pig cells leads way for new regenerative therapies - National Hog Farmer - September 27th, 2022
- A glimpse into Indian consumers expectations for cosmetic treatments and consumption insights - The Financial Express - September 27th, 2022
- Tajmeel redefines beauty to give its patients the best results - Gulf News - September 27th, 2022
- Here Is Why You Heal Slower As You Age - Health Digest - September 27th, 2022
- Creating stem cells from minipigs offers promise for improved treatments - University of Wisconsin-Madison - September 19th, 2022
- Israeli Biotech Firm Plans to Create Human Embryos to Harvest Organs, Field Experts Say There are Ethical Concerns - CBN.com - September 19th, 2022
- CellResearch Corporation (CRC) announces positive results of Phase I study for CorLiCyte - PR Newswire - September 19th, 2022
- The best CBD and hemp products for pampering your skin this fall - Leafly - September 19th, 2022
- I took an international trip with my frozen eggs to learn about the fertility industry - MIT Technology Review - September 19th, 2022
- Propanc Biopharma Reports Significant Effects of PRP Against the Tumor Microenvironment - Business Wire - September 11th, 2022
- 6 Ingredients to Avoid Putting on Your Skin - Healthline - September 3rd, 2022
- Regenerative Properties of the Newborn Heart Offers Hope for Those With Congenital Heart Disease - The Epoch Times - September 3rd, 2022
- Meet White Orange: The Vitamin C Skin Care Brand For Sensitive Skin - Bustle - September 3rd, 2022
- Rejuvenation Roundup August 2022 - Lifespan.io News - September 3rd, 2022
- To better understand Parkinson's disease, this San Diego expert sent her own cells to space - The San Diego Union-Tribune - August 26th, 2022
- Inside the race to make human sex cells in the lab - MIT Technology Review - August 26th, 2022
- Global Biomaterials Market to Reach Value of $372.7 Billion by 2028 | Demand For Biomaterials in the Healthcare Industry will Grow by 53% Over the... - August 26th, 2022
- A Groovy Guide to Anti-Aging Products With CBD and Mushrooms - Out Magazine - August 26th, 2022
- New milestone organoid synthesis will boost disease and drug development research - RegMedNet - August 10th, 2022
- Victoria Beckham and Kim Kardashian are fans of Augustinus Baders skincare range - and you can get 20% off - The Mirror - August 10th, 2022
- Mutant T Cells That Drive Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Progression May React To a Brain Antigen - The Scientist - August 10th, 2022
- Why Glucose Restrictions Are Essential in Treating Cancer - The Epoch Times - August 10th, 2022
- Global Stem Cells Group Expands Its Stem Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine Centers to Indonesia - GlobeNewswire - August 2nd, 2022