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DNA Helix

A Step Closer to Immortality?

I just read a short, interesting piece at the Telegraph about an increasing population of jellyfish that can apparently reverse their aging. I’m not entirely sure how this is possible and will be reading through published papers to see if I can figure it out.

From what I gather from the mainstream article, the cells dedifferentiate. Perhaps some of the pathways used are still present in humans? This species most likely has modified pathways that wouldn’t be the same in humans, and if they are unused in us chances are they are no longer in tact due to no selection pressure to maintain them. It could give some interesting clues about which areas to focus on for human aging research. Perhaps once day we will also be able to grow “younger” instead of just older. I’m sure Malthus would not be pleased…


  1. Alejandro said,
    March 6, 2011 @ 2:44 am

    I believe from what i have read, human cancer cells, even the ones lining the epidermis, do undergo a dedifferentiation process, turning into mesenchymatous state. 2 years have gone by since this was posted, so you may have already figured it on your own.

  2. Louis Chen said,
    March 10, 2011 @ 12:01 am

    There is a great resource launched last week for aging research called the AgingPortfolio.Org. It actually has all of the biotech grants that are related to aging.
    I wonder why nobody wrote about it yet.