Identifying Calorie Restriction Mimetics
Another way in which modern bioinformatics speeds useful research: A map of the genetic changes caused by calorie restriction is allowing researchers to screen for candidate drugs that will reproduce the beneficial effects of CR without the dieting. Many research groups, public and private, are working to develop meaningful calorie restriction mimetics. The increased healthy life span and resistance to age-related diseases observed in animal studies - and the impressive human studies to date - are very compelling. It is increasingly the case that genetic knowledge can be quickly turned into trial therapies - this research work is now far faster than the process of satisfying organizational and regulatory requirements.
Link: http://www.jhsph.edu/Press_Room/Press_Releases/PR_2004/Kensler_caloricrestriction.html