A recent study made by scientists at Caltech and UCLA could pave the way to developing a nip-n-tuck style procedure that can potentially reverse and slow the ageing process. The study is now perceived as an innovative way to replace the ageing cells in our body. Experts have recently revealed that the study has targeted the mutated DNA inside our mitochondria which is considered as the 'battery' of our cells.
How The Procedure Works
In one of their statements reported by Independent, experts have revealed that the study has long been considered as the "holy grail" of genetics which was initially used to partially restore the sight of rats blinded by a condition which also affects humans. It was found that in the previous studies, researchers were not able to make changes to DNA in eye, brain, and heart as well as liver tissues.
However, as Daily Mail reports it, experts from the Caltech-UCLA team have now found a way on how to manipulate genes so that they break down and remove mutated DNA, which in turn, can regenerate the cells. With the use of autophagy, which is a normal physiological process in the body that deals with destruction of cells in the body, it was found that cells have the ability to digest dysfunctional mitochondria, clearing the way for healthy replacements.
Furthermore, Caltech professor of biology and biological engineering Bruce Hay said that the study's goal is to create a future in which we can periodically undergo a cellular housecleaning to remove damaged mutant mtDNA from either the brain, muscle, or other tissues. It was found that the study has won a Nobel Prize this year.
Experts have also believe that with improvements in this type of technology, which seem inevitable these days, they claimed that it is likely that the methods developed here could prove to be a very useful purposes of future basic research, and perhaps, eventually for gene therapy that aims to treat otherwise incurable diseases.
