Scientists have successfully created a new enzyme that can actually fix age-related damage inside our proteins. Over time, sugars naturally bind to the proteins in our bodies, making our tissues stiff and causing unwanted inflammation. Until now, scientists thought this kind of wear and tear was completely permanent and impossible to undo.

To build this enzyme, researchers combined computer database searches with lab-controlled bacterial evolution. They repeatedly mutated and screened E. coli bacteria until they found a specific variant that could effectively eat away at the built-up sugar damage. In early tests, this new creation successfully cleared away significant amounts of aging buildup on real human skin, artery, and eye tissue samples.

While this is an exciting breakthrough, the research is still in its infancy and has a few major hurdles. Scientists still haven’t proven if cleaning the proteins actually makes the tissues work better or feel younger. Additionally, because the enzyme comes from bacteria, there is a strong chance a human body might reject it or have an allergic reaction.

Moving forward, the research team wants to focus on tougher types of sugar damage that lock proteins together.  https://lifespan.io/engineered-enzyme-reverses-age-related-protein-damage/