Genome of Cancer-Free Rodent May Give Clues to Human Aging,
Disease Naked mole rat, humans share some genetic similarities,
researchers find By Amanda Gardner WEDNESDAY, Oct. 12 (HealthDay
News) -- Scientists announced Wednesday that they have succeeded
in sequencing the full genome of the naked mole rat, an
exceptionally long-lived and cancer-resistant rodent. While that
might not sound like headline news, scientists say the findings
could provide insights into human aging and risks for
malignancy. "If we can understand the genetic adaptations, we
may be able to find treatments which can change the human into a
more long-lived species," said Vadim N. Gladyshev, senior author
of the study published online Oct. 12 in the journal Nature.
Another expert, Dr. Greg Enders, associate professor of medicine
at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, expressed
enthusiasm. "This paper is an interesting piece of work [and may
provide] useful hypotheses into how they can have such longevity
and not cancer." However, the