Israeli Scientist unlocks secret to long, productive human lives

An Israeli Research Scientist with the Tel Aviv University, has unlocked secrets that can help humans live longer and more productive lives.

The evolutionary biologist and rodent expert, Dorothee Huchon made the breakthrough with the publication of her latest findings regarding the unusually long life span found in the genes of the naked mole rat, a rodent native to East Africa.

A statement from the Israeli Embassy in Accra on Sunday to the GNA said she revealed in her latest findings that the naked mole rat’s unusual life expectancy was due to very high levels of a neuro-protective protein called Neuregulin 1 (NRG-1) in its brain, which she explains ‘is also found in the human brain’.

She continued that “knowing more about the special proteins made by this rodent’s brain could help scientists prepare drugs that will help humans live longer” in the future.

Compared to humans at an advanced age, this little hairless rodent — also known as a sand puppy or desert mole rat – shows little evidence of aging and stays active through all stages of life. It also enjoys good bone health, reproductive success and a healthy mind.

The research was a collaborative research study between Huchon and colleagues at the Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, and the City College of New York.

It sets out to determine if the NRG-1 protein is responsible for the rodent’s successful and long life and revealed that the DNA of this particular species showed a striking similarity – about 85 percent – to the DNA of humans.

The researchers believe that was a first but important stage toward learning how aging and NRG-1 were related. Since mole rats have also been useful in biomedical research due to their resistance to cancer, there may be deeper consequences for human health if more is known about the functioning of NRG-1.

The recently published news study also reveals that the NRG-1 gene can act as a tumor suppressor, protect the brain against stroke, and a variant of the gene can lead to higher levels of creativity.

Source: GNA