Research on the genetic extension of the life of flies can help slow aging

The journal ScienceDaily reports that a team of Swiss researchers from the University of Bern has managed to significantly extend the life of the flies by activating the gene responsible for the destruction of unhealthy cells. The results of the work may open up new opportunities in extending the lives of people. Fully with the work can be found in the journal Cell .

The head of the team, Eduardo Moreno, explains: “Our body contains several trillion cells. During aging, these cells accumulate random errors due to stress or external influences, such as the ultraviolet radiation of the sun. Because some cells suffer more than others, we reasoned that leaving the less affected cells and getting rid of the damaged ones, you can maintain healthy tissue and delay aging, increasing the longevity. ”

Drosophila melanogaster flies were chosen for research. To screen out damaged cells, a gene was selected that is activated in damaged cells. The gene was named azot by the name of an Aztec deity who selectively destroyed fishing boats. Usually in each cell contains two copies of this gene. The researchers were able to effectively leave healthy cells by inserting a third copy of the gene into the cells. “The median value of the duration of the flies subjected to therapy was 50-60 percent more than normal,” says Krista Rainer, one of the researchers. Moreno called the results of the work "extremely exciting."
')
Work is not limited to the creation of long-lived flies (muskusilov?). Researchers are confident that this process can be reproduced in various human organs, thus slowing down the aging process of tissues.