Geneticist Yuancheng (Ryan) Lu is at the forefront of rejuvenation science, focusing on gene therapies designed to combat age-related vision loss. Lu’s interest in the field is both professional and personal, as he carries a genetic mutation for macular degeneration and has a family history of age-related blindness.
In 2018, while completing his PhD at Harvard Medical School, Lu utilized a technique known as cellular reprogramming to restore optic nerves in mice. By injecting a gene therapy into the eyes of blinded mice, he successfully stimulated nerve regeneration. David Sinclair, a longevity scientist who oversaw Lu’s lab, noted that the results were a significant breakthrough, proving that the mice could regain visual function.
The underlying process, known as reprogramming, mimics the biological reset that occurs in embryos. While previous research established that four genes—collectively known as OSKM—could revert cells to a stem-cell state, Lu refined this approach by using only three genes, OSK. By omitting the Myc gene, he aimed to mitigate the risk of cancer. This methodology was detailed in a 2020 study published in Nature.
The technology, now designated as ER-100, has transitioned from laboratory research to human clinical trials. On June 9, the startup Life Biosciences, co-founded by Sinclair, announced that the treatment had been administered to a patient suffering from glaucoma. Despite the significant attention the trial has garnered, Lu maintains a cautious perspective regarding the potential for human longevity. He characterizes his work with OSK as a proof of concept rather than a definitive cure for aging, noting that the treatment remains toxic to certain cell types and that the mechanisms of aging vary across different tissues.
Lu continues to research the next generation of rejuvenation therapies, recently identifying a gene that protects the retina from free radical damage. He credits his early work with helping to shift the scientific consensus, noting that the concept of reversing molecular age has gained broader acceptance in recent years.
Source: MIT Technology Review
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