Scientists Discover the Exact Genetic Switch that Begins the Aging Process

[Olm the Water King]

Scientists Discover the Exact Genetic Switch that Begins the Aging Process | UPRISER

Scientists Discover the Exact Genetic Switch that Begins the Aging Process

A new study, conducted by researchers from Northwestern University in Illinois, has revealed that a simple genetic “switch” may be the key to the solving the mystery of aging.

The study of worms showed adult cells abruptly begin their downhill slide when they reach reproductive maturity. A genetic switch then allows aging to begin by “turning off” certain processes which protect cells within the body.
The finding is significant because humans have the same genetic switch – and means eventually it may be possible to delay aging and certain degenerative diseases.

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[Such Irony]

I hope they find the 'cure' for humans in my lifetime.

 

[nonsequitur]

I'm familiar with Richard Morimoto's work. This article is shoddy science journalism because there's certainly not a single gene, or even single family of genes (in this case they're referring to the Sirtuins) that is responsible for aging. His work is centered around the paradigm of proteostasis (protein homeostasis maintenance systems including the heat shock proteins or HSPs) being overwhelmed by stressors leading to aging, but this is highly controversial and by no means accepted.

Further, he uses C. elegans as a model system, which is great for looking at individual pathways within cells but not the complex physiology of aging (with features of neurocognitive decline, metabolic changes etc.) in mammalian systems. Other aging pathways that have been described in mammals include mTOR and insulin/insulin-like growth factor (IGF) so the headline there is just wrong.

I wouldn't have bothered with this normally, but I did my postgrad work on neurodegeneration and shoddy science journalism is one of my pet peeves.

 

[grey_beard]

I'm familiar with Richard Morimoto's work. This article is shoddy science journalism because there's certainly not a single gene, or even single family of genes (in this case they're referring to the Sirtuins) that is responsible for aging. His work is centered around the paradigm of proteostasis (protein homeostasis maintenance systems including the heat shock proteins or HSPs) being overwhelmed by stressors leading to aging, but this is highly controversial and by no means accepted.

Further, he uses C. elegans as a model system, which is great for looking at individual pathways within cells but not the complex physiology of aging (with features of neurocognitive decline, metabolic changes etc.) in mammalian systems. Other aging pathways that have been described in mammals include mTOR and insulin/insulin-like growth factor (IGF) so the headline there is just wrong.

I wouldn't have bothered with this normally, but I did my postgrad work on neurodegeneration and shoddy science journalism is one of my pet peeves.

An INTJ and neurodegeneration...catnip of a topic!