Key points from article :
As people age, their mitochondria often become damaged - damaging the cells where any build-up occurs.
Mitochondria in middle-aged fruit flies start to enlarge from their small, round shape.
Cells not able to clear the damaged mitochondria.
UCLA researchers used Drp1 protein to break them up into smaller pieces.
In flies and mice, levels of Drp1 decline with age.
Also need Atg1 gene for the anti-ageing technique to work.
Flies to become more energetic and lived longer than usual (females 20%, males 12%).
The study was published in the Nature Communications journal.
