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Wow! This, I must say is a big discovery and I think things are looking up for the immortality lovers. Although everybody wants to live for longer and enjoy life, this discovery only increases one's lifespan by 10%. I think that should be good news for immortality lovers as this discovery could eventually lead to the discovery of immortality.

Although there is a belief that new medicine and some ancient herbs offer a solution to short lifespan but this is entirely different. In the discovery led by UCL Institute of Healthy Ageing, it was said that we don't need to do much, we only need to limit the activities of one enzyme and that's all. Using the flies and worms as an experiment, they noticed a longer lifespan after reducing the activity of a single enzyme present in all animals including humans.

How does this relate to humans?

Usually, the RNA polymerase III is present in all animals including humans and all the scientists knew about it was that it was responsible for the production of protein. Little did they know that it was related to our gut health, intestinal health and cell growth which leads to aging. This enzyme has a negative effect on the gut health and the intestinal stem cell's function which is why the reduction of its activities will increase the lifespan of a human and all other animals. After a serious examination and research, it was discovered that even "the immune-suppressing drug, rapamycin" that is said to increase one's lifespan does something similar to inhibiting the RNA polymerase III. People have hyped that drug a lot not knowing how simple it's method of approach to life longevity is although the result is priceless..

Now, we need to stop seeing RNA polymerase III as just a protein producer, it's really more than that. It harms us also, it sends bad signals to the body leading to aging. It affects our gut, intestine and stem cell and makes us age fast. So, now we know reducing its activities will make it weak and indirectly assuring us of a longer life. Someone must be wondering how can he/she inhibit RNA polymerase III...?

The scientists that made this discovery used the genetic approaches to inhibit the RNA polymerase III. The genetic methods used were "insertional mutagenesis" and "RNA mediated interference". They did the experiments in two forms to know which of the areas the Polymerase III affected was most important but they both gave positive responses. Firstly, they inhibited the RNA polymerase III in the gut of flies and their life was extended. Secondly, they inhibited the RNA polymerase III in the intestinal stem cell and they also lived longer. So, this means that they independently play a role in aging.

Dr. Jennifer Tullet of the University of Kent talked about how amazing it was to discover that a single genetic adjustment would have a positive impact on our lifespan. She also acknowledged that this may lead to the discovery of anti-aging therapies.

Currently, scientists are working on improving our knowledge of the RNA polymerase III in adults and also how it can be manipulated to result in extended lifespan...