Key points from article :
An enzyme that could be targeted to reverse cellular senescence - discovered.
Molecules vital for reversing cellular senescence were identified.
A model simulating interactions between these molecules was developed.
A molecule, called PDK1, was investigated in incubated senescent skin fibroblasts and 3D skin models.
Blocking PDK1 restored the cells' ability to regenerate wounded skin.
PDK1 is over expressed in some tumours - inhibiting it will have both anti-aging and anti-cancer effects.
"Our research opens the door for a new generation that perceives ageing as a reversible biological phenomenon," - Prof Cho, KAIST.
Research by KAIST published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).
