German researchers reset cellular age by over six decades in lab
Scientists in Bonn transformed blood cells from an 80-year-old donor into neural stem cells that show a molecular age under 20, effectively reversing more than 60 years of cellular aging.
Researchers at the University Hospital of Bonn, together with the University of Bonn and RWTH Aachen University, have developed a method to convert blood-cell precursors from an 80-year-old individual into neural stem cells whose epigenetic markers correspond to a person younger than 20. By avoiding the intermediate pluripotent stage, the conversion proceeded slowly over more than 100 days, enabling continuous observation of the molecular aging reversal.
Epigenetic clock measurements indicated a reduction of over six decades in biological age. This prolonged reprogramming could help identify the pathways that drive cellular rejuvenation and test compounds that might accelerate the process. While not a therapy, the approach provides a valuable laboratory platform for investigating neurodegenerative conditions where age is a major risk factor. The work was funded by Horizon 2020, the DFG and the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology, and Space and published in Aging Cell.
