In the July issue of Cell Metabolism, researchers from the Howard Hughes Medical Insitute report having identified a gene present in mouse cells that suppresses senescence, a stage when aging cells cease to divide. The researchers said the gene, known as SIRT1, suppresses longevity, and may play a role in regulating the aging process. Although it is tempting to interpret these results as having found the key to immortality, the researchers caution against such interpretations as mouse cells in culture are imperfect models for human cells in terms of aging.

These findings may prove useful, though, for research, where large numbers of cells are needed for study. In contrast to highly proliferative cell types such as cancer cells, SIRT1-deficient cells divide indefinitely and appear normal.