San Diego-based biotechnology startup Rejuvenate Bio has made a claim that will likely pass the scientific community’s heated scrutiny. According to the company, their research has significantly extended the lives of aged mice.It is called the elixir of youth.
According to the yet to be peer-reviewed article published in BioRxiv by Rejuvenate Bio, scientists have found that an injection that reprograms genes in the bodies of aged mice effectively doubles their remaining lifespan. In tests, the company says, treated mice lived, on average, an additional 18 weeks, while untreated mice lived just nine weeks. Overall, the treated mice lived approximately 7% longer.
A Nobel Prize-winning technique
Potentially appearing as an elixir of youth, the technique relies on a reprogramming technique that involves resetting cells to a younger state. In previous laboratory tests, this technique has been shown to work in single-cell-based tests. The technique was invented by Japanese biologist Shinya Yamanaka and won him the Nobel Prize in 2012. Additionally, many members of the scientific community have previously expressed concern about this experiment, as the gene-switching technique was found to cause mice to develop cancer after receiving the treatment.But while Rejuvenate Bio claims its technique is different and does not cause cancer in its subjects, the company also states that it uses gene therapy and the technique can be modified for humans. According to the company, the mice exposed to this powerful reprogramming gene were the same age as a 77-year-old human.
Scientists warn
Scientists not affiliated with the company described the work as an exciting milestone, but warned that whole-body rejuvenation using gene therapy poses great risks and remains a poorly understood concept.
Even so, the prospect of reprogramming as an elixir of youth has sparked an explosion of research and investment. A company called Altos Labs has announced that it has raised over $3 billion.
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