Groundbreaking Study Shows Naked Mole Rat Gene Can Extend Human Lifespan, Improve Health

• Researchers at the University of Rochester successfully transferred naked mole rat gene to mice, leading to extended lifespan and improved health
• The genetic modification resulted in enhanced protection against tumours, skin cancer, and overall longevity in mice
• The study suggests longevity mechanisms can be tapped to increase lifespan in other mammals, potentially benefiting human beings

New York - A research by the University of Rochester has opened up the possibility of extending the life span of human beings.

In a groundbreaking endeavour, researchers at the University of Rochester successfully transferred a longevity gene from naked mole rats to mice.

The scientific experiment resulted in improved health and an extension of the mouse’s lifespan.

Vera Gorbunova, the Doris Johns Cherry Professor of Biology and Medicine at Rochester, said the study proved that longevity mechanisms can be exported to improve the lifespans of other mammals.

Gorbunova and Andrei Seluanov, a professor of biology, took decades of research to understand the unique mechanisms that naked mole rats use to protect themselves against ageing and diseases.

What do Gorbunova's findings mean for human beings?

The researcher explained that their next target would be to see how the findings would benefit humanity.

“It took us 10 years from the discovery of HMW-HA in the naked mole rat to showing that HMW-HA improves health in mice. Our next goal is to transfer this benefit to humans," he said.

They genetically modified a mouse model to produce the naked mole rat version of the hyaluronan synthase two gene.

According to the research, the gene makes a protein that produces HMW-HA. While all mammals have the hyaluronan synthase two genes, the naked mole rat version seems enhanced to drive more robust gene expression.

The researchers found that the mice that had the naked mole rat version of the gene had better protection against both spontaneous tumours and chemically induced skin cancer.

The mice also had improved overall health and lived longer than regular mice.

Why naked mole rat?

Naked mole rats are known for their long lifespans and exceptional resistance to age-related diseases; they can live up to 41 years, nearly ten times as long as similar-sized rodents.

Unlike many other species, naked mole rats do not often contract diseases—including neurodegeneration, cardiovascular disease, arthritis, and cancer—as they age.

The researchers previously discovered that HMW-HA is one mechanism responsible for naked mole rats’ unusual resistance to cancer.

Naked mole rats have about ten times more HMW-HA in their bodies than mice and humans.

Scientists discover new anti-aging pill

Elsewhere, researchers from New Zealand discovered a drug that would reduce the mortality rate in human beings.

The research at the University of Auckland’s Waipapa Taumata Rau showed that the pill increases one's lifespan by 10%.

According to the research findings, administering a cancer treatment drug to healthy middle-aged people for a prolonged period increases their lifespan by around three years.