US scientists working on ground-breaking “fountain of youth” treatment
by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent
(Worthy News) – Scientists from the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) in the US believe they are on track to produce a “fountain of youth” anti-aging healthcare treatment based on Hydractinia symbiolongicarpus, a tiny jellyfish-like, sea animal with outstanding regenerative abilities, Walla reports.
Hydractinia live on the shells of rare crustaceans and use stem cells to regenerate their entire tube-shaped body from cells in their mouth, Walla reports. The NHGRI research team contends that studying aging-related genes in Hydractinia may provide insights into developing cell regeneration in humans.
In a statement about the research, Dr. Andy Baxevanis from the NHGRI said: “By studying some of our most distant animal relatives, we can start to unravel some of the secrets of regeneration and aging — secrets that may ultimately advance the field of regenerative medicine and the study of age-related diseases as well.”
“Typically, in humans, senescent cells stay senescent, and these cells cause chronic inflammation and induce aging in adjacent cells. From animals like Hydractinia, we can learn about how senescence can be beneficial and expand our understanding of aging and healing,” Baxevanis said.
Baxevanis added that better understanding of how senescent cells trigger regeneration is required, but the research is progressing well, Walla reports.