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Living longer is smelly businessCould our sense of smell really affect how long we live? A recent study conducted at BCM using fruit flies lends evidence to the aromatic theory. Other research has shown that reducing calories extends the lives of mice, and possibly humans. This new study—conducted by Scott Pletcher, Ph.D, Assistant Professor of Molecular and Human Genetics in the Huffington Center on Aging at BCM, and graduate student Sergiy Libert—showed that when a group of calorie-restricted flies were exposed to the smell of tasty yeast paste, they did not live as long as flies who were on identical diets but who were not exposed to the odor. Using this information, the scientists looked into whether the lives of fruit flies could be lengthened if the gene that controlled their sense of smell could be altered. Sure enough, there was as much as a 57 percent lifespan extension—from 60 days to longer than 80 days—in the flies with the altered gene. Although such a gene has not yet been described in mammals, Pletcher, Libert and colleagues suggest that this finding may be applicable in higher-level organisms such as mice, primates and humans, all of which have hundreds of odor receptors, many of which have not been carefully studied. |
FeaturesNewsBCM Cancer Center One of Select Few SpotlightBert O'Malley: A Pioneer in Molecular Endocrinology Making Sense of the Sense of Touch Severe Skin Conditions Take a Back Seat at Camp Dermadillo Health Economist Must Put Price Tag on the Priceless Doctor Creates Cartoon that "Bugs" Kids About the Risks of Tobacco BriefsLiving Longer is Smelly Business Clinical Trials for Cancer Southward Bound Green Tea Component Blocks HIV Cell Entry Genetics Technique Takes Bite out of Research Barriers Sports Legends Lend Helping Hands, Arms to College Development & Alumni NewsMitchell Gift Furthers Brain Research Lambert Receives Lifetime Achievement Award Kleberg Foundation Gift Establishes RNAi Screening Core Facility Alumnus Named White House Fellow
Tailoring Technology to Benefit You, the Patient
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Volume 3, Issue 2, Summer 2007 |
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| Last modified: September 21, 2007 |