Scientists slow ageing process in heart cells

Published on 24/07/2012 00:49

Scientists have turned back the hands of a biological clock to rejuvenate ageing and damaged human heart cells.

Using stem cells, they reset a molecular mechanism that determines the rate at which cells age. The work on human cells was confined to the laboratory, but the technique has been successfully tested in mice and pigs.

Dr Sadia Mohsin said: “This is an especially exciting finding for heart failure patients. Right now we can only offer medication, heart transplantation or stem cell therapies, but PIM-1 modification offers a significant advance.”