Ageing breakthrough: Scientists create “hyper-long” telomeres without gene editing

[ScienceRocks]

Ageing breakthrough: Scientists create “hyper-long” telomeres without gene editing

Scientists have successfully created mice with significantly longer telomeres than normal, resulting in a drop in molecular ageing, without using genetic manipulation.
Telomeres, which are found at the end of all animals’ chromosomes, are thought to be vital to ending ageing, as their shortening as we age is a key factor in cellular ageing and the onset of age-related disease. However, when they are lengthened beyond normal levels in mice, they have the precise opposite effect, protecting against ageing and related diseases, and increasing lifespan.
The mice, which are chimeras carrying both regular and “hyper-long” telomeres, were created using a technique based on epigenic changes, where embryonic stem cells are expanded in vitro, prompting changes to telomeres.
“The in vitro expansion of the embryonic stem cells results in the elongation of the telomeres up to twice their normal length,” explained the authors of the study, which is published today in the journal Nature Communications.
First demonstrated in cells alone in 2009, and in embryonic stem cells in 2011, this current research by scientists at the Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO) is the first to produce hyper-long telomeres in living mice. As a result, the study authors said that this “proof of concept means that it is possible to generate adult tissue with longer telomeres in the absence of genetic modifications”.

A way to live longer and healthier lives! Great!