MIT Researchers Develop Non-Invasive Method to Track Senescent Cells

Muscat:Massachusetts Institute of Technology: Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have devised a non-invasive method to identify and study cells in the body that contribute to disorders associated with aging, including cancer, tissue degeneration, and inflammatory diseases. According to Oman News Agency, these cells, known as senescent cells, have stopped dividing and growing but have not died as expected. Instead, they undergo significant changes in shape, metabolic processes, and gene activity. The researchers detailed their findings in the journal Nature Aging, highlighting that previous techniques for studying these cells often destroyed them. By employing Raman microspectroscopy, which reveals the biochemical composition of cells without causing harm, alongside analysis of gene activity in each cell, the team identified unique "fingerprints" of senescent cells. The study was conducted using mouse cells, with ongoing efforts to adapt the method for human tissue. Researchers noted t hat while cellular senescence contributes to skin sagging and muscle weakness in the elderly, it also plays essential roles in embryonic development and tissue regeneration. This research is part of an initiative by the US National Institutes of Health called the "Senescence Network." Peter So, Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Biological Engineering at MIT and the study's lead author, explained that the NIH Senescence Network aims to adopt a comprehensive approach to understanding aging and identifying senescent cells due to their roles in both normal physiological and disease states.