Cellular Rejuvenation: Unlocking Human Potential Through mRNA Reprogramming

Foundations of Cellular Aging and Senescence

At the core of our biology lies our cells, each with their own essential functions and collectively numbering at tens of trillions in our body. Yet many of these cells do not last a whole lifetime and will need to be replaced, many lasting for only a very small fraction of our lifespan. For instance, liver cells, which are highly important, have a lifespan of around 300 to 500 days, meaning new cells must frequently be created. This is done via mitosis, or cell division, where a parent cell will split into two genetically identical daughter cells, each with their own chromosomes and organelles. This is not only important for balancing out cell death, but also for many other reasons involving growth and replenishment. For example, if we are wounded it becomes necessary for many of our cells to undergo increased mitosis to account for the lost cells. Yet cell mitosis cannot continue indefinitely.

Telomeres | justinhealth.com

When cells undergo mitosis, parent cells must replicate their chromosomes so that they can give each of their daughter cells a complete and genetically identical set. Yet, due to something known as the end replication problem, the ends of the chromosomes cannot be fully replicated, and would thus be lost. The solution to this problem are these strands of repetitive DNA known as telomeres, which act as a padding at the ends of chromosomes so that, during the replication process, it is part of them and not the chromosomes that are lost. Yet over time these telomeres eventually shorten to a critical length where continual replication would lead to a loss of the chromosomes. At this point the cell is no longer able to divide and they become senescent. Over time these senescent cells accumulate – leading to the dysfunction of tissues and the subsequent aging of organs. Naturally, this becomes a key factor in aging and the vulnerabilities that may lead to death.

Yamanaka factors: A Revolution in Cell Reprogramming

Dr Shinya Yamanaka

It has long been believed that cells have a specific function and will always carry that out until they die. For example, a liver cell would remain so for around a year, until dying, without taking on any other function – which makes clear sense. Yet, in 2006, Dr Shinya Yamanaka, a Japanese doctor and scientist from Kyoto University, discovered that these cells, known as somatic cells, can actually be changed into a stem cell state, known as pluripotent stem cells. In other words, regular cells could be reverted to a more youthful state, allowing regeneration and reprogramming. This is done by introducing a set of transcription factors, now known as Yamanaka factors, which will alter the somatic cell back to an embryonic state. The importance of these transcription factors are enormous, and allow for incredible innovations in cell reprogramming.

mRNA Reprogramming: The Solution to Cellular Aging

mRNA, or messenger RNA, is a form of RNA that encodes a message which translates to a set of proteins in a cell’s ribosomes. These are integral to cell functionality and, as it has recently been found, to the process of cell reprogramming. This is done by creating mRNA embedded with the instructions for a set of proteins which can slow cellular aging and then injecting them into our body in the form of a drug (with the mRNA encased in a protective layer of fat). For instance, the mRNA could be developed with the instructions for the introduction of Yamanaka factors into the body. By doing this, aged senescent cells could be reverted to youthful pluripotent stem cells, and could thus be used to bring back proper tissue functionality and revert organ aging. Furthermore, mRNA could also be used to carry the instructions for proteins, such as telomerase, to slow or revert the loss of telomeres. Telomerase is a protein which can add DNA sequences to the ends of telomeres, and subsequently counteract the effects of aging and potential for senescence. By implementing either of these two methods, bodily functions could be improved and aging significantly slowed.

Potential of Biological Enhancement

Now that we have investigated the process of cellular aging and its potential means of prevention, it is time to look into its potential for the future of human enhancement and longevity. Using mRNA reprogramming techniques offers a means of fully natural enhancement of our biology, most notably in slowed aging, but also in an array of distinct domains. For instance, this technique could be used to improve overall organ and tissue functionality, bring youthful ability to the elderly, and superhuman ability to the youthful. In the more distant future, biological enhancement may offer a means of giving everyone superhuman ability, and in all domains. Yet we have been focusing on its impact on longevity and life extension, and this seems to be its most promising potential, particularly in the nearer future.

Over the past several millennia we have seen a significant and consistent rise in our average lifespan, often as a result of increased medical knowledge and technology. The most notable rise in the average human lifespan has been as a result of dramatically increased child mortality rates and has, since then, been steadily rising due to greater and ever-advancing medical technologies and infrastructure. And soon, we will be preparing for the next great rise in our average lifespans, yet this time it will be in the form of an exponential explosion. Particularly with the ever-increasing rate of technological advancement, we will soon see the aforementioned technologies become involved in widespread commercial adoption. At this stage, we will be able to continually rejuvenate and enhance our biology, leading to a drastic increase. Furthermore, as we do this more and more technology, both biological and non-biological, will be developed to push us toward finding centenarians commonplace and, at some point, toward living several hundred years.

Yet this will undoubtedly come with many challenges, both in terms of its widespread adoption and its continual growth. For millions of years, we and our ancestors have evolved to live fairly short lives, and very rarely exceeding a century – and as we continually extend our lives, we will be exceedingly pushing the boundaries of our biology. For instance, longer lives will significantly challenge, and eventually overwhelm, our biological memory. The clear solution to this is the implementation of BCIs, or brain computer interfaces, in our brains, yet the development of these and other solutions will pose undeniable and continually greater challenges. Beyond this, there are the clear ethical and philosophical concerns, and we will have to recognise a more long-termist focus of purpose, as well as a reconsideration of human potential.

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