UCLA scientists have identified a gene in fruit flies that effectively slows down the aging process. They achieved this by activating the "PGC-1" gene, which directly influences mitochondrial activity within the cells of the fly. It turns out that when the gene was activated in the digestive tract of the files, they tended to live longer, but when activated in other areas, like neurons and muscle tissue, there was no noticeable effect. Even so, preventing the intestines from aging had enough of an overall impact on the flies to extend their lives by as much as 50%. These scientists also believe that the mammalian version of the PGC-1 gene works the same way as it does in flies, which implies that this technique may one day prove useful in extending the lives of humans.
-Justin Phillips
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