Team finds that regenerative genes from other species suppress aging issue in fruit flies

A team of researchers, including colleagues from the University of Tokyo's Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, have transferred into common fruit flies genes from simple organisms capable of regenerating their bodies. Fruit flies are more complex animals that cannot regenerate their bodies. The team found that the transferred gene suppressed an age-related intestinal issue in the flies. Their results suggest that studying genes specific to animals with high regenerative capability may uncover new mechanisms for rejuvenating stem cell function and extending the healthy lifespan of unrelated organisms.