Introduction

Hello Vitalians and welcome back!

The holidays are fast approaching and with that another exciting year for longevity research is coming to an end. A lot has happened, but in this issue we wanted to bring your attention to something you might have missed. No, not another epigenetic reprogramming therapy or a new senolytic, but something quite different…

We want to introduce you to an innovative approach in longevity research: targeting nonsense mutations and stop codons as a strategy to combat aging.

Nonsense mutations, which create premature stop codons, are responsible for approximately 10-20% of inherited diseases and play a significant role in tumor suppressor gene inactivation in cancer. Recent advancements in biotechnology have opened up new possibilities for addressing these mutations, potentially impacting age-related diseases and longevity.

Researchers are developing novel methods to promote read-through of premature stop codons, restoring the production of functional proteins. This approach holds promise for treating various genetic disorders and could have broader implications for aging processes.

VitaDAO, a decentralized science initiative, is at the forefront of this field through its support of ARTAN Bio. Led by Dr. Michael Torres, ARTAN Bio is developing innovative strategies to address nonsense mutations in rare and age-related diseases.

To gain deeper insights into this cutting-edge research and its potential impact on longevity, we encourage you to read our exclusive interview with Dr. Torres at the end of this newsletter. His journey from cancer biology to longevity research and his vision for ARTAN Bio's future offer a fascinating glimpse into the evolving landscape of biotechnology and aging research.

In other Vita news, our in-house Venture Studio - VitaLabs - is picking up steam with more and more novel ideas brewing. In case you missed it, check out the VitaLabs Forum on Discord and contribute to the discussions. The deadline to apply as a fellow and submit your idea for funding in the $200k quadrating funding round is less than 2 weeks away, so if you’re a late-comer there is no time to waste!

Longevity Literature Hot Picks

Pre-Print Corner

RNA editing is a molecular clock in unmodified human cells

Transcriptome Timestamping (T2) is a new technique that leverages natural RNA editing processes in human cells to determine the age of individual RNA transcripts, providing insights into when genes were active. This method reveals detailed temporal dynamics in gene expression, such as during the transition of monocytes to