The fruitfly Drosophila Melanogaster is often utilized in lifespan and longevity experiments as its natural lifespan is only about 40 days. The current trial was undertaken as researchers point out “the mechanisms underlying natural variation in lifespan and ageing rate remain largely unknown.” They did an analysis of genome-wide protein expression in two groups of fruit flies, a wildtype [...]

Naked mole rats are a unique rodent that have lifespans of over 30 years, more than 10 fold the lifespan of typical rodents. Recently the genome of the naked mole rat has been sequenced, and researchers continue to work extensively with the animal to discover reasons for its profound longevity. Indeed any learnings gleaned from this animal could lead to advances in human longevity. New research is [...]

Mutations in genes that code for nuclear laminar proteins are known to cause diseases of accelerated aging.  One such disease called Hutchinson-Gilford progeria affected children rapidly become elderly in childhood usually dying by age 13. The nuclear lamina is the envelope that surrounds and protects the cell’s DNA. It is crucial to prevent damage to DNA. Damaged DNA leads to cell dysfunction [...]

The family of Sirtuin genes has been linked to longevity.  Activating them generally appears to increase lifespan.  This has been demonstrated in several species, though there is some controversy about its degree of effect. Resveratrol is a small polyphenol molecule found in among other places, grapes.  There has been research suggesting that resveratrol activates the sirtuins but this too remains [...]

Human cells are fantastically complex entities.  Microscopic factories they contain 20,000 or so separate proteins that interact with each other in many ways.  The instructions to build these proteins are encoded in 3 billion base pairs of DNA on 46 tightly wound and compressed chromosomes. As the cells live metabolize and age, proteins are constantly being made, interacting with each other and [...]

As organisms live, breath oxygen and metabolize food, they age.  The two are inextricably linked. Metabolic and respiratory processes generates free radicals and reactive oxygen species which damage cells and their contents.  Cells have a large army of proteins that function to reduce this damage and repair damage that occurs.  It is these protein pathways slow aging. It is known that proteins [...]

Mammals have very variable lifespans.  Mice for example live one to two years whereas humans can live for more than 100. Scientists would like to know what accounts for such wide disparity in lifespan.   Knowing exactly why certain species longer may aid in developing strategies to arrest the aging process.  To this end, a research  group developed a method for identifying proteins that are associated [...]

There are several members of the sirtuin gene family, a highly conserved group of genes that appear similar in form from yeast to human cells. Over the past several years sirtuins have received an abundant amount of attention and financial support.  This enthusiasm stemmed from early research showing that activation of sirtuin gene family member SIRT1 extended lifespan in several species. Eventually [...]

Researchers at the Salk Institute have discovered for the first time a new class of cellular proteins that live as long as the organism. Normally proteins are built from DNA instruction sets and are rapidly turned over, existing for usually no more than 2 days.  This is particularly important because over time proteins can be easily damaged by debris and reactive oxygen species abundant within cells. [...]

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 [...]