Scientists Demonstrate Immortal Flatworm's Method of Overcoming Aging Process

Aging is a process common to all living cells, where imperfections accumulate ant the cell grown less efficient over time, but the aging of a macroscopic organism is specifically concerned with the degradation of the protective ends of DNA called telomeres across many cell divisions. The telomeres grow progressively shorter with every cell division, and the cell loses the ability to renew and divide itself when the telomeres grow too short. Telomeres are theoretically maintained by an enzyme called telomerase, but the enzyme is only active in most organisms during early development. Study of a certain species of flatworm that is known for being able to endlessly regenerate lost parts has conclusively proven the previously theoretical knowledge that the flatworms dramatically increase the activity of the gene responsible for telomerase when regenerating, thus removing the degradation of the telomeres during this phase. This study builds foundations for the potential to increase lonevity in humans in the future.
















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