Recently, scientists in Germany at the University of Bonn transformed an 80 year old’s blood cells into 20 year old neural stem cells, reversing around 60 years of aging. This occurred when the Bonn team reprogrammed red blood cell precursors (an immature stage of red blood cells, called erythroblasts) into neural stem cells, observing the cells over the course of 100 days.

A two-step method has already been found to reverse cellular aging, but it happens very quickly. According to the University of Bonn, “…it had previously only been observed when reprogramming took place in two steps … a blood cell is taken and converted into a pluripotent stem cell, which has virtually all ‘career paths’ in the body open to it.” The cell is then guided to develop into a neural stem cell, which can grow into brain cells.

Previous studies have already revealed the effectiveness of these produced cells, showing the ability to establish connections with other neurons when transplanted into mice brains.

Professor Dr. Oliver Brüstle, an expert in stem cell research, stated, “In our current study, however, we focused on a different phenomenon: namely, the observation that cells become significantly rejuvenated during reprogramming. … In our approach, rejuvenation occurred gradually and could be tracked for over 100 days.”

This lengthened timeline provides scientists with more time to understand the cellular rejuvenation process. More advancements in this field will work specifically on treatments for neurodegenerative diseases. “After all, age is the most important risk factor for … diseases such as Alzheimer’s!” said Brüstle.