On May 4th, 2014 the New York Times profiled two-time grantee, Dr. Thomas Rando, whose research has helped pave the way for studying the link between young blood and slowed aging.
Based on Dr. Rando’s work and other subsequent studies, scientists have found that blood from young mice helps to reverse aging in older mice though a protein known as GDF11. Researchers believe that GDF11 slows aging by sending messages to stem cells which are vital to tissue repair.
The discovery of a human version of GDF11 could lead to treatments for disorders like Alzheimer’s disease and heart disease.
Thomas A. Rando, MD, PhD, is a professor of neurology at Stanford University School of Medicine. Dr. Rando is a1999 Paul Beeson Career Development Scholar and a 2008 Glenn/AFAR Breakthroughs in Gerontology Award winner.
Will these dramatic breakthroughs on mice transition into advances in human medical care? For more information on how studying other species can leader to healthier aging for us, visit AFAR’s InfoAging page on Animal Models.
