C(60) fullerene is a naturally occurring molecule containing 60 carbon atoms arranged in a sphere. It is famously known as the buckyball, short for buckminsterfullerene, and discovered in 1985. Since 1993, the molecule has been suspected to have multiple potential biological benefits. This list includes UV and radioprotection, antiviral, antioxidant, and anti-amyloid activities, allergic response [...]

The nematode C Elegans is extensively used for the study of lifespan regulation.  The simple 2000 cell organism only lives for 15 days so interventions which may prolong survival are quick and easy to measure.  Furthermore, the genome and metabolic pathways of the organism are well understood. It is known that worms can be induced to live more than double their lifespan by exposing them to environmental [...]

Scientists studying mice and nematodes have discovered the presence of a protein that acts to inhibit muscles growth. This protein switch is called NCoR1.  It acts to repress a suite of genes involved in the building of muscle tissue. In the current experiment, the researchers used genetic techniques to decrease the function of that switch.  In so doing they found that the genetically modified animals [...]

Cynthia Kenyon is an aging researcher at UCSF who has been studying the processes of aging in the nematode C- Elegans for her entire career. She and her team are known for significant breakthroughs in the field.  In particular through genetic manipulation her team was able to create works that live 6 times the typical lifespan of two weeks. Her focus has been on a particular gene called DAF-2.  It [...]