Scientists discover key genes that 'could slow ageing process'

Scientists have discovered 25 genes that play a crucial role in the ageing process, raising hopes of developing a pill that will keep old age at bay.
Researchers have identified a series of genes in yeast and roundworms which regulate lifespan.
Humans are likely to have similar versions of them and they could be used to treat age-related illnesses, it is claimed.
Lead author Dr Brian Kennedy said: "Now that we know what many of these genes actually are, we have potential targets to go after in humans.
"We hope we could affect those targets and improve not just lifespan but also health span ? the period of a person's life when they can be healthy and not suffer age-related illnesses."

The researchers said the discovery of the genes in yeast and the ringworms ? Caenorhabditis elegans ? was important because the two organisms were 1.5billion years apart in terms of evolution.
The evolutionary gap between humans and C. elegans is not as long.
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Some of the genes found were also linked to "pathways" in the human body along which nutrients pass.
Studies have shown that drastically restricting diets of animals such as monkeys and worms can also prolong lifespan.
Dr Matt Kaeberlein, a member of the team from Washington University in the US, said: "Most people don't want to cut their diet that drastically, just to live a little longer.
"But some day, we may be able to accomplish that with a pill."

The findings are published in the journal Genome Research.