A research conducted by a team of Californian scientists showed that the lifespan of worms can be amplified to the human equivalent of 400 to 500 years. By tweaking two specific genetic pathways in the tiny lab worm known under the name Caenorhabditis elegans, the researchers were able to boost the creature’s lifespan immensely. What scientists did, basically, was block certain key molecules that affected the action of insulin and “push” others responsible for particular nutrients in the human body. Based on the study results scientists assumed that specific interactions between genes are mainly responsible for the fact that some people live much longer than others and yet enjoy good health till their very last day.
The next step for the researchers would be to succeed in getting similar results in mice. The Californian team members are very optimistic in regards of the significance of their research. The scientists hope the results might serve as a useful model to understanding death in people and eventually lead to a huge increase in life expectancy.
source: tydknow.com
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