Cellular Reprogramming Extends Lifespan, Healthspan in Mice

While cellular reprogramming holds great promise, it is a nascent technology with many open questions. Most studies are done in vitro , and only a handful have investigated the effects of reprogramming in vivo , with some encouraging results . This study joins that limited list .

Anti-Aging Enzyme Klotho Prevents Arterial Calcification

A link has been shown between the well-known ‘anti-aging’ enzyme klotho and vascular calcification in previous studies. Given that klotho overexpression reverses aortic vascular calcification in klotho-deficient mice, further investigation was warranted to explore the underlying mechanism as lack of klotho is associated with all-cause mortality in people..

Anti-Inflammatory Molecules Discovered That Decline in the Aging Brain

In collaboration with Professor Dionicio Siegel at UC San Diego, Saghatelian’s lab made three discoveries involving SGDGs: In the brain, lipid levels are very different in older mice than in younger mice; all SGDG family members and related lipids change significantly with age; and SGDGs may be regulated by processes that are known to regulate aging. 

Breakthrough in Tiny DNA “Nanotransporters” Chemically Programmed To Treat Cancer

A new class of drug transporters made of DNA that are 20,000 times smaller than a human hair has been designed and validated. These molecular transporters can be chemically programmed to deliver an optimal concentration of drugs, making them more efficient than current methods. 

Vaxxinity is creating peptide vaccines to prevent age-related disease

Vaxxinity is a vaccine technology company that is developing vaccines for chronic diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and heart disease. The company has a pipeline of vaccines under development, targeting chronic diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and hypercholesterolemia, as well as infectious diseases, including COVID-19.

3D Bioprinting Advance Replicates Patient-Specific Tumors

In this new study, researchers developed a new 3D bioprinting platform with high content light microscopy imaging and processing. Using a mixture of bioinks and colorectal cancer cells, the team showed they were able to replicate tumors in 3D spheroids.

New Molecule Destroys Alzheimer’s-Causing Amyloid Tangles 

UCLA researchers used a molecule found in green tea to discover other molecules that may break up protein tangles in the brain, which are known to cause Alzheimer’s disease and other disorders. Tau fibers, which are lengthy, multilayered filaments that create tangles and attack neurons, are known to be broken up by the green tea molecule EGCG.