Two main approaches can be applied to slow down the aging process – gene regulation and its effect on the expression (activity) of genes. This was told socialbites.ca by a leading researcher of the Institute of General Genetics. NI Vavilov RAS, Professor of Genomics and Bioinformatics at the Siberian Federal University (SFU), geneticist Konstantin Krutovsky.
“Both approaches are at an early stage of development. “For example, relatively recent scientific papers have shown that increasing the expression of genes encoding telomerase can prolong the lifespan of mice and prolong the lifespan of cells in culture.”
Other research focuses on genes that control mechanisms related to metabolism and the immune system. For example, research has shown that manipulation of the FOXO3 gene can extend lifespan in humans and animals.
Another approach is regulation of gene expression using interfering RNA. According to the expert, RNAi therapy is currently used to treat both some hereditary diseases (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, hemophilia, Down syndrome and others) and infectious diseases.
“RNAi therapy is now also under research and development. But it’s interesting to note that more studies have emerged showing that RNA can enter human cells with food through the digestive tract and affect us through regulation of the activity of our genes,” he said.
The geneticist says that the Chinese who understand this mechanism have now officially registered traditional Chinese medicine drugs that were previously considered questionable because their mechanism of action was not disclosed.
“These drugs may include those that increase the activity of genes associated with repair mechanisms. In this way, revolutionary geroprotectors can be created that actually work,” he thinks.
Read more about why genome editing is a risky idea, what’s special about the genome of the oldest woman on the planet who died at 115. report “socialbites.ca”.