What would it mean to the world if we discovered a way to lengthen cell life? Immortality, extremely long and healthy lives, longer space travel, etc….That list goes on for awhile.
Our bodies are made up of cells that are constantly dividing and every time they divide we get a little older because they get older. This process is actually programmed into each cell and it’s function controlled by enzymes/cell division. Every time cells divide their internal clocks shorten… Both the clock and the enzyme that effects it are known to humankind.
The following article discusses how stress has a direct physical effect on aging in humans(and presumably, everything else that gets old and consists of cells). Cortisol, a hormone produced when under stress, has been shown to degrade the length of time available on cellular clocks by interfering with a cells ability to activate the enzyme related to the clock, telomerase ….Interesting….Not only does stress cause aging in cells but it also sheds some light on how to do the opposite. If lacking the ability to activate the enzyme, telomerase, causes shorter cell life then wouldn’t finding a way to regulate the level and activity of that enzyme be a path towards keeping that cell alive for longer periods of time?
Science Daily
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080715152325.htm
Thoughts