Image courtesy: Getty Images
Scientists have demonstrated a method that can rewind human skin cells by about 30 years, restoring youthful function in a way that is now going viral again after first appearing in a 2022 study. As reported by SciTechDaily, researchers at the Babraham Institute tested a shortened reprogramming process that makes old cells biologically younger while letting them keep their identity.
Instead of running the full stem cell reprogramming cycle, which erases the cell’s function entirely, the team stopped the process partway through. That short window was enough to remove age-related marks and reset the cells to a much younger biological state. When the treated cells were returned to normal conditions, they behaved like youthful fibroblasts again with higher collagen production and better overall performance.
The regenerated cells also moved more quickly in wound healing tests, hinting that future treatments might one day help repair damaged skin more effectively. Researchers also saw encouraging changes in genes linked to age-related conditions like Alzheimer’s and cataracts, suggesting wider therapeutic potential.
The underlying mechanism is still being explored. Scientists suspect that some regions of the genome hold on to cell identity even during reprogramming, allowing the cells to “remember” what they are once the process pauses.
Dr. Diljeet Gill, who led much of the work, said the results show that it is possible to rejuvenate cells without losing their function. Professor Wolf Reik added that the findings may eventually help identify specific genes that can be targeted to slow aging directly.
Although still early stage, the idea of partially resetting biological age has reignited excitement around the future of regenerative medicine.