Reduced Levels of Myc Regulator Mtbp Modestly Extend Life in Mice

Despite the fact that we stand within reach of human rejuvenation, to be achieved through repair of the known forms of biological damage that cause aging, the majority of research into aging and longevity has next to nothing to do with that goal. It is instead a slow and painstaking process of mapping, an attempt to understand how exactly cellular biology produces aging, at the detailed level of genes and protein interactions. It takes years of work to obtain a useful amount of new information about the role of one specific gene, and there are thousands of genes of interest, formed into networks. There are many ways to influence the behavior of these networks - pick a gene, alter its structure or the amount of protein produced, and the entire network is affected. Pick another gene and the network reacts in a different way. This is why those researchers who believe that the only way forward is to produce the map, and then use it to alter the operation of metabolism to slow the rate at which it causes aging, generally have a pessimistic view of the future of medicine to enhance human longevity. There is too much work, too little funding, and too few researchers. Further, the gains are modest at best, on a par with the results of practicing calorie restriction or regular exercise. This is why we need a revolution in the field of aging research, one that directs far more resources towards initiatives like SENS rejuvenation research: instead of prioritizing mapping, rather ...
Source: Fight Aging! - Category: Research Authors: Tags: Medicine, Biotech, Research Source Type: blogs