Aging may be a program, not a breakdown

Aging may be more than just a gradual decline, but rather a carefully planned process. Cell biologist Junyue Cao, who investigates aging using advanced technology in mice, argues that rather than being a random decay of cellular components, aging is a stepwise, organized event. Cao's research indicates that aging begins in mammals around the age of 30 and is defined by distinct stages marked by changes in molecular signals and specific cell populations, akin to embryonic development.

Unlike the traditional theory that aging is caused by molecular decay from external damage or natural breakdown, Cao proposes that the body's systematic restructuring is programmed at an early stage. This theory suggests that aging is not a single linear process but rather a series of changes across various levels, from molecules to organs, and even the entire organism.

By employing a high-throughput technology that can process millions of cells across different tissues and organs at multiple life stages, Cao was able to identify molecular changes and epigenomic instructions that guide this programmed aging. This approach challenges the notion that aging is merely a breakdown and suggests that it is a complex, orchestrated process with far-reaching effects on the cellular society.