Harvard Discovery of SRSF1 Gene That Stops Aging and Extends Lifespan in Mice

Researchers at Harvard University have discovered the SRSF1 gene, which can halt the aging process without causing cells to lose their identity or increasing the risk of cancer. As part of the study published in the journal Nature Aging, the gene was transferred to the livers of mice, extending the subjects' lifespan by 14 percent.

Researchers at the Harvard Wyss Institute revealed that the SRSF1 gene, which enables cells to be reverted to a youthful stage without disrupting their original identity, plays a critical role in halting aging. Alex Plesa, one of the lead authors of the study, stated that they established the balance between rejuvenating the cell and preserving its cellular identity thanks to this gene. The team also developed an artificial intelligence-powered algorithm capable of determining the actual biological age of cells.

Tested in a laboratory setting on cells taken from human skin belonging to different age groups, the gene was observed to push cells back to a younger age score, maintain protein balance, and prevent chronic inflammation. Transferred to the livers of aged mice using a carrier virus, the SRSF1 gene slowed the rate of aging and increased the average lifespan of the subjects by 14 percent. George Church, Professor of Genetics at Harvard Medical School, stated that the discovery is an important step for organ- or tissue-specific gene therapies.