Scientists gave worms magnetic bacteria. They lived 43% longer
A magnet-producing bacterium extended the average lifespan of C. elegans worms by more than 43% while helping protect their neurological and intestinal health. Researchers traced much of the effect to suppression of ferroptosis, a damaging form of cell death linked to iron buildup and oxidative stress.
Scientists have discovered that a type of magnetic bacteria can significantly prolong the lifespan of worms, according to research led by Professor An Xu from the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science at the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The study, published in the journal Free Radical Biology and Medicine, found that the magnetotactic bacterium Magnetospirillum magneticum AMB-1 extended the healthy lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans by 43.39%.
This remarkable result was attributed to the suppression of ferroptosis, a type of cell death linked to iron accumulation and oxidative damage. The researchers also discovered that magnetosome production by AMB-1 was essential for this longevity effect, as non-magnetotactic variants did not show the same benefits. These findings could potentially open new avenues for anti-aging interventions using bacteria, offering a promising and biocompatible alternative to traditional drug-based approaches.
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