Scientists use worms to study aging and anti-aging therapies
Translated from German, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
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- Researchers in Graz, Austria, are using the microscopic nematode worm Caenorhabditis elegans to study aging processes.
- These worms have a short lifespan and share about 80% of their proteins with humans, making them ideal models for aging research.
- Scientists are investigating cellular mechanisms, particularly the role of mitochondria, to identify potential anti-aging therapies and keep cells healthy longer.
In laboratories at the Medical University of Graz, Austria, tiny nematode worms, specifically Caenorhabditis elegans, are playing a significant role in unraveling the mysteries of aging. These millimeter-long organisms, known for their smooth movements and diet of bacteria, are cultivated in petri dishes for their crucial contribution to aging research.
The worms' suitability for this research stems from their accelerated life cycle; they develop from egg to adult in just three days and have a total lifespan of only 30 days. This rapid progression allows scientists to observe aging-related developments in a compressed timeframe. Furthermore, the aging processes in these worms closely mirror those in humans, with approximately 80% of their proteins being homologous to human proteins.
We assume that it is crucial how much calcium enters the mitochondrion during aging.
This similarity has enabled researchers to identify and study genes like the "Methuselah gene," which has been shown to slow down aging processes. Studies have compared the gene's function in worms to elevated levels found in centenarians, highlighting the potential for cross-species insights.
Corina Madreiter-Sokolowski, an associate professor of Molecular Aging at the Medical University of Graz, utilizes these worms as model organisms in several projects funded by the Science Fund FWF. Her research focuses on the cellular mechanisms of aging, aiming to discover new starting points for anti-aging therapies. A key area of investigation is the role of mitochondria, the "powerhouses of the cell." Madreiter-Sokolowski hypothesizes that excessive calcium uptake by mitochondria during aging could trigger programmed cell death. This theory is being tested using advanced techniques like video recording and fluorescence microscopy to analyze calcium currents and oxygen radicals within living cells.
the more, the more active the mitochondria are
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by Die Presse in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
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