Scientists at the University at Buffalo investigated the main gene associated with aging. If they can figure out how it works, then we’ll have innovative ways to treat many diseases, including cataracts. So we are patiently waiting for a powerful breakthrough in the couple next decades!
WHEN CATARACTS COME EARLIER THAN YOU’D LIKE
No one wants cataracts at all, but they’re usually a by-product of age. But what causes the lens to grow dull?
For many years already, scientists have been entertaining us with the discovery of genes responsible for this and that.
Nevertheless, everyone is interested in the so-called aging genes.
Scientists at the University at Buffalo investigated the main gene associated with aging. If they can figure out how it works, then we’ll have innovative ways to treat many diseases, and cataracts are one of them.
And that’s what they found. When scientists increased its activity in young, healthy cells, they stopped dividing and started to age.
It’s interesting that this aging epidemic spread to all cells in the Petri dish, although only 10-15% were modified. In other words, the rest of the cells somehow picked it up.
The effect also occurred when the experiment was done in reverse. “Young” cells were placed in a culture of “elderly” cells and they ceased to duplicate.
That’s not to say that things were immediately clear. This gene is responsible for creating a specific protein, but the role of that protein is unknown.
Furthermore, this gene is different in different people through a sequence of nucleotides. Simply put, it doesn’t necessarily cause aging.
CATARACTS DEFEATED?
Not yet. No one wants to accelerate the process but if we understand the subtleties of the gene, there’s a chance of slowing it down.
So on one hand, we didn’t learn anything about cataracts or aging. But on the other hand, it won’t be a surprise if in 10-20 years there’s a powerful breakthrough in this area.
If you already have cataracts (I was already “happy” with it, for example, at age 45), then don’t worry. There is a great place that can help you.
Sebastian Varo
Photo by Andrei Lazarev on Unsplash
