More on Understanding Biochemical Mechanisms
Understanding the biochemical and genetic mechanisms underlying aging will be the quickest path to a therapy. EurekAlert reports that researchers have established the mechanism by which the Sir2 longevity gene (identified fairly recently itself) works in mammals. This uncovers another piece in what is clearly an interlocking puzzle: oxidative stress, DNA damage, genetic moderation, cancer, degenerative conditions and other parts of aging all play into one other through linking mechanisms. The money quote: "If you have molecules that come together to mediate resistance to environmental stresses that cause aging, one might be able to come up with drugs that would affect this interaction and slow the aging process."
Link: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2004-02/chb-bct021804.php