Epigenetic Reprogramming and Cellular Rejuvenation

One theory of aging holds that it's driven partly by the gradual accumulation of epigenetic 'noise' — changes in how genes are switched on and off, rather than changes to the DNA sequence itself. Partial reprogramming using Yamanaka factors (the same four factors used to create induced pluripotent stem cells) has restored vision in aged mice with optic nerve damage in published research from David Sinclair's lab, and related reprogramming approaches have shown lifespan extension in other mouse studies. Altos Labs, a longevity-focused biotech founded in 2022 with several billion dollars in funding from high-profile investors, is one of several well-funded companies pursuing this approach toward eventual human trials. If reprogramming technology can be made safe and precise in humans, researchers see it as one of the most fundamental potential anti-aging technologies under development.