Humans have been on the hunt for the answers to aging, as evidenced by the popularity of Botox. Science has yet to discover the modern day fountain of youth, however a recent discovery of two anti-aging genes have been discovered. The protein(s) are known as SIRT6 and SIRT3.

SIRT6 protein not only suppresses tumors (helps suppress cancer), it may also offer a protection against the development of obesity and help control our cellular metabolism.

Researchers from Harvard Medical School and Michigan Health System conducted the study and also noted that without this protein tumors may increase in size, numbers and aggression. Cancers that may be most affected by the loss of the SIRT6 protein are colon and pancreatic cancers.

Researchers from the University of California, Berkeley conducted a study on mice focusing on the chemical SIRT3. Found in the mitochondria, the chemical is responsible for the cell’s life and death and has an important role in the way that blood cells deal with stress. According to some studies, the gene is activated in certain animals when calories are restricted, causing the species to live longer lives. Researchers decided to see what would happen if the gene that produces SIRT3 was deactivated.

Researchers are not sure whether over expressing SIRT3 would help extend lifespan, but that is not their main goal anyway. They hope that studying the gene could help treat age-related illnesses.

Hopefully additional research with this genes will lead to major discoveries in both reversing the hands of time and preventing or curing cancer.

The first study was published in the journal Cell and additional information can be found at the University of Michigan health site at http://www.uofmhealth.org/news/archive/201212/anti-aging-gene-identified-tumor-suppressor-mice-research