Although it is a very small step in age reversal, scientists have found they can rejuvenate organs in older mice back to their younger state, says AOL News. The experiment was held at Harvard University's Medical School. The enzyme telomerase was used during this experiment. It is an enzyme that makes small units of DNA that seal the tips of chromosomes. They act like the plastic caps at the ends of a shoelace, preventing chromosomes from fraying and genes from unraveling. When scientists increased levels of telomerase in the mice, their organs began to rejuvenate. Harvard stated that shriveled testes grew back to normal and allowed the mice to be fertile again along with other organs that recuperated from their degenerated state.
In humans, however, this experiment could hold extremely different results. The main problem is the fact that the enzyme telomerase stops generating in humans so that cells do not over replicate themselves causing cancer; the risk of cancer would dramatically increase.
I found this article extremely interesting. It is amazing how far along scientists are coming on a day to day basis. Imagine what this experiment, once made accurate for humans, could do for our society today? It sort of reminds of stem cell research except this experiment is a lot less controversial. Obviously this is just a small step in this research, but at least it's something!
No comments:
Post a Comment