Key points from article :
Japanese scientists, led by Associate Professor Yuichiro Nakajima from the University of Tokyo, have made a breakthrough in anti-ageing research by transferring regenerative genes from highly regenerative organisms into fruit flies. This experiment improved intestinal health and boosted stem cell activity in the flies, suggesting that genes from species with strong regenerative abilities could help uncover new ways to rejuvenate ageing cells and extend healthy lifespan in more complex organisms, including humans.
Nakajima and his team introduced a group of genes known as HRJDs, which are unique to animals with high regenerative capacities. While they initially hoped these genes would enable tissue regeneration in injured flies, they instead observed improved intestinal function and increased stem cell division. Unlike antibiotics, which can suppress harmful cellular changes but also reduce stem cell activity, HRJDs selectively suppressed abnormal ageing-related changes while promoting healthy stem cell growth. Given the similarities between insect and human intestines at the cellular level, this discovery offers a potential new direction for anti-ageing therapies.
Despite these promising results, many questions remain. Nakajima notes that the exact molecular mechanisms of HRJDs are still unknown, and researchers are uncertain whether they act alone or in combination with other factors. While this study represents only the beginning, it provides a valuable tool for future investigations into stem cell rejuvenation. If similar effects can be replicated in humans, this research could pave the way for novel regenerative treatments to counteract ageing-related decline.
