Category: Biology of Aging
Hypoxia Reduces SASP Without Reducing Senescent Cell Burden
April 14, 2021
A new study in Molecular Cell has shown that the benefits of hypoxia may be derived from a suppression of the inflammatory SASP. Can less oxygen be a good thing?
Researchers Convert Astrocytes to Neurons in Vivo
April 13, 2021
Scientists have successfully reprogrammed astrocytes (a type of brain cell) into healthy neurons in the brains of living mice. This technique could potentially be used for replenishing the neuronal population
New CRISPR Technology Allows Turning Genes Off and On Again
April 12, 2021
A new technique allows researchers to turn epigenetic methylation off and back on again, thus allowing the silencing and unsilencing of certain genes. A CRISPR breakthrough CRISPR/Cas9 is a well-known
Researchers Claim Serum Albumin Increases Mouse Lifespan
April 9, 2021
Before we begin, it should be noted that this study was published on biorxiv, a pre-print website that hosts papers prior to peer review. Therefore the data should not be
SenNet: The NIH Large-Scale Cellular Senescence Initiative
April 6, 2021
The National Institute of Health is going all-in on cellular senescence with its recently announced SenNet program. We asked two of the leading experts in aging research to weigh in
Increased Longevity and Lost Motivation
April 3, 2021
Of all the concerns and objections that I’ve bumped into as a rejuvenation advocate, saying that healthy longevity would deprive us of motivation in life is by far the most
NAD+ Eases Symptoms of a Premature Aging Disease in Mice
March 31, 2021
Scientists have alleviated symptoms of the rare premature aging disease ataxia-telangiectasia using NAD+ supplementation in a mouse model [1]. This success deepens our understanding of the role NAD+ plays in
Stopping Colorectal Cancer From Proliferating
March 29, 2021
In a cell culture study, researchers have discovered that forcing cancer cells to differentiate into somatic cells can cause them to stop proliferating. Cancer, stem cells, and proliferation The danger
Increased Longevity and Immortal Dictators
March 26, 2021
Suppose there was a country ruled by an evil dictator. Further, suppose the entire world was plagued by a terrible disease affecting 100% of the population. The disease isn’t infectious,
What is NMN? A Summary of Nicotinamide Mononucleotide
March 26, 2021
What is NMN? NMN is short for nicotinamide mononucleotide, a naturally occurring molecule present in all species. On the molecular level, it is a ribonucleotide, a basic structural unit of
Shortened Telomeres Increase Kidney Fibrosis Rates in Mice
March 25, 2021
A team of researchers led by Dr. Maria Blasco of the Spanish National Cancer Research Center has shown that shorter telomeres make mice more susceptible to kidney fibrosis [1]. The
MSC Extracellular Vesicles Reduce Mouse Senescence
March 24, 2021
A new study in Aging Cell has shown extracellular vesicles from stem cells to extend healthspan and reduce cellular senescence in vitro and in mice. Stem cell exhaustion is a
Thyroid Organoids Created From Human Tissue
March 23, 2021
In a new study published in Stem Cell Reports, researchers have developed organoids to replace thyroid function [1]. If this approach is fully fleshed out and successfully brought to the
Human Trial Suggests Clearing Plaques Slows Mental Decline
March 22, 2021
Until now, it was unclear as to whether drugs that clear amyloid, which accumulate in the brain during aging and accompany diseases such as Alzheimer’s, have any influence over cognitive
A Summary of B Cells
March 22, 2021
The immune system as a whole can be broadly separated into two main branches: the innate immune response and the adaptive immune response. The innate immune response is performed by
Hypoxia Reduces SASP Without Reducing Senescent Cell Burden
April 14, 2021
A new study in Molecular Cell has shown that the benefits of hypoxia may be derived from a suppression of the inflammatory SASP. Can less oxygen be a good thing? Cell cultures are typically maintained in conditions close to atmospheric oxygen levels, but these are much
Researchers Convert Astrocytes to Neurons in Vivo
April 13, 2021
Scientists have successfully reprogrammed astrocytes (a type of brain cell) into healthy neurons in the brains of living mice. This technique could potentially be used for replenishing the neuronal population in people suffering from brain damage and age-related cognitive decline [1]. Cellular fate is not sealed
New CRISPR Technology Allows Turning Genes Off and On Again
April 12, 2021
A new technique allows researchers to turn epigenetic methylation off and back on again, thus allowing the silencing and unsilencing of certain genes. A CRISPR breakthrough CRISPR/Cas9 is a well-known technology for editing the genome, but its potential for epigenetic editing had never been previously explored.
Researchers Claim Serum Albumin Increases Mouse Lifespan
April 9, 2021
Before we begin, it should be noted that this study was published on biorxiv, a pre-print website that hosts papers prior to peer review. Therefore the data should not be regarded as conclusive or accurate until it has been subject to the peer review process and
SenNet: The NIH Large-Scale Cellular Senescence Initiative
April 6, 2021
The National Institute of Health is going all-in on cellular senescence with its recently announced SenNet program. We asked two of the leading experts in aging research to weigh in on this initiative. The NIH takes notice Cellular senescence has been at the forefront of longevity
Increased Longevity and Lost Motivation
April 3, 2021
Of all the concerns and objections that I’ve bumped into as a rejuvenation advocate, saying that healthy longevity would deprive us of motivation in life is by far the most bizarre. I have a hard time believing this concern is so widespread that it needs discussing,
NAD+ Eases Symptoms of a Premature Aging Disease in Mice
March 31, 2021
Scientists have alleviated symptoms of the rare premature aging disease ataxia-telangiectasia using NAD+ supplementation in a mouse model [1]. This success deepens our understanding of the role NAD+ plays in aging. The ubiquitous facilitator The coenzyme nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) is one of the foundations of
Stopping Colorectal Cancer From Proliferating
March 29, 2021
In a cell culture study, researchers have discovered that forcing cancer cells to differentiate into somatic cells can cause them to stop proliferating. Cancer, stem cells, and proliferation The danger of cancer is from its proliferation: its uncontrolled division within the body. This proliferation is explained
Increased Longevity and Immortal Dictators
March 26, 2021
Suppose there was a country ruled by an evil dictator. Further, suppose the entire world was plagued by a terrible disease affecting 100% of the population. The disease isn’t infectious, but it is congenital. It progresses extremely slowly over the course of several decades, but it
What is NMN? A Summary of Nicotinamide Mononucleotide
March 26, 2021
What is NMN? NMN is short for nicotinamide mononucleotide, a naturally occurring molecule present in all species. On the molecular level, it is a ribonucleotide, a basic structural unit of nucleic acid RNA. In form it consists of a nicotinamide group, a ribose and a phosphate
Shortened Telomeres Increase Kidney Fibrosis Rates in Mice
March 25, 2021
A team of researchers led by Dr. Maria Blasco of the Spanish National Cancer Research Center has shown that shorter telomeres make mice more susceptible to kidney fibrosis [1]. The new study not only clearly demonstrates this link but also provides mouse models which can be
MSC Extracellular Vesicles Reduce Mouse Senescence
March 24, 2021
A new study in Aging Cell has shown extracellular vesicles from stem cells to extend healthspan and reduce cellular senescence in vitro and in mice. Stem cell exhaustion is a well-studied hallmark of aging that occurs in multiple model organisms and multiple tissue types in humans.
Thyroid Organoids Created From Human Tissue
March 23, 2021
In a new study published in Stem Cell Reports, researchers have developed organoids to replace thyroid function [1]. If this approach is fully fleshed out and successfully brought to the clinic, it may become a true cure for hypothyroidism. A common but harmful affliction Hypothyroidism is
Human Trial Suggests Clearing Plaques Slows Mental Decline
March 22, 2021
Until now, it was unclear as to whether drugs that clear amyloid, which accumulate in the brain during aging and accompany diseases such as Alzheimer’s, have any influence over cognitive decline. Previous studies have aimed to find this out, but results have been inconclusive due to
A Summary of B Cells
March 22, 2021
The immune system as a whole can be broadly separated into two main branches: the innate immune response and the adaptive immune response. The innate immune response is performed by a system that is always present across the body, while the adaptive immune response appears only